Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-03-18

him. MY husband, Northy, must be
my master and superior in all respects.
Well, dear, sighed Mrs. North, i
only hope you won't live to repent it.
Is that your engag' ment ring?
With a laugh and blush, Iris held
up her pretty fiat hand on the fore
finger of which sparkled cluster Of
dew bright diamonds.
Isn't it exquisite, Northy. His
grandmother was presented at court,
wearing thesv very diamonds in Il clasp
at her throat I do so delight in heir
looms. And my grandmother was
only u country lawyers wife. with a
little g gh)
The Dlles are as good a family as
any in America, said Mrs, North with
spirit
Now you are jealous. Northy,'
laughed Iris. You are somel ow pre-
judical a5ainst Mr. Fortescue But You
will learn to like and esteem him as
lnu h as 7 do--in time
1t will be long time hen though
Mrs. North. IL is deal too plausi-
bic and soft spoken to suit my plain
ideas
But she sad nothing It seem, d al
mot cruel to dampen IRIS bright an
ticip,tions By any hint Of doubt
Trouble cones soon enough in this
world without our going half wav to
meet it, though good Mrs. North.
Iris Dale was an orphan-but she
bad lost er parents when she WAS too
young to feel the sting of the b'reave-
m.nt. She was rich and beautiful and
moreover, hers WAS one If tt osp joyous
natures which attract sunshine every
where Up 20 the present time she
had exuted in declaring herself love-
proof but had she surrounled at hast
10 the little god with the bow and AZ
rows and ,o the lnmitnble graces Of
Mr.. F,rtescue Bennett Fortescue.
Miss Iris. an ye rlaz", spoke ont
the shr'l voice Of Irish Nora there's
an ould man down here that wants to
shpake wild you. And I'm lhnkir its
the clock member.
Very we'll said Iris, inliti ren,ly
Give him the kitchen cIoc,s--anl the
clock in Mrs. North s room, Nora.
But he wants to shpake wild your.
self, ma am
How very persistent Of h,m, said
Iria, lnom,ntarily annoyed, but she
went down stairs nevertheless 1t was
not in her gracious nature to slight the
poor or the OLD
A respectable li'tle old man, in a
much worn aud nenlcl gray suit and
th n white locks. stood by the dining
room fire, warming his chilled hands,
which were insutilently protected by
a pair Of blue yarn mit'eNs. His dim
blue eyes had not yet lost their keen
ness, and his face WIS traversed by a
multitude of fine wrinkles. All these
thirgs Iris comprehended in one glance
AS she kindly bowed to the Old man.
Is it Miss DALI he sad-and Ir,s
could see that he trembled Ike leaf
I am Miss Dale she smiled. Come
nearer to the hle-yon are chi lied
through Nora, bring this man cup
of hot coffee.
You are the clock mender, I sup
pose::.
Yes, ma'am. he made answer sub
misslvely. \ am the clock mender -
Would il please von for me to mend
them here, or take them home to my
lodging.?'
AS YOU please s'il IRIS, carel'ssly
Some ladies, mil am. would object to
me carrying choice Francn clocks
away, h. added, uneasily fumblng
with the top button of his waiscoat.
Oh, | don't doubt your honesty in
the least, said Iris, kindly.
You're right ther', ina am he re-
sponded with earnestness. We're an
hon est race, if We re nothing else. And
l thank YOU for trusting me. Yes, I'll
take the clocks home, if You don't OBJ
iect. I'm a poor clock mender, as has
always worked for my bread, but I've
sou, ma am, that's fine gentleman.
though you mightnt think 1t.
I do not doubt it in the least said
Iris. But all his business about The
clocks might just as well have been
transacted with Nora
And that's true, na'am, said the
clock mender, with IA sudden ascension
of awkward shyness, But | wanted to
see yourself. IL wanted to kiss the
sweet hand of the lady who is going to
marry Mr.. Fortescue Bennett Fortes.
cun'