Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-09-09
What is 1t to You.

The evening was warm-the sort OF
evening that makes one think of green
fields and placid meadows and the moon
rising over Towering hedges.
Bell, watching by the window from
whence she could soonest hear step
which came not, smotherel sigh
She was not much addicted to sighmg
surely. Her days were too busy. But
this particular day had been so long
and trying and the children had been
50 troublesome. Aunt Bells hands had
been more than full. Not large hands,
either. R.ther very small and delicate,
though the fingers were little rou gh-
ened by contact with this and that
Vane Stephenson had resented tho
amount of helpfulness volunteered by
those small hands more than once.
why do You drudge so?' he had sAd
angrily.
Then Bell, patiently, would explain
Jessie so delicate, and poor Tom out
position, and the children-what else
could she do?
Vane would be silenced.
You re a lite SAINT, Bell!
This, or any other word or endear-
ment from him, was always enough to
bring the roses to her checks, even
though the charming face might have
looked tritle pale and wan before.
The color came now, with Il sudden
rush, as the well-known form turned
the cornet at last.
Nane was abscnt-minded tonight
He took no notice of her pretty dress,
made by her own deft fingers, in color>
his artists eye approved. 1t had cost
her many a deprivation, that dress
cheap and simple as it w.s; AMI it had
been made only that she might BE- prtt
ty in his sight. Poor little Bell S eye
sank. But she sat down by his side in
the small, shabby parlor in silence.
What made yea late Nlne, dear
she said, softly, at length. 1t was rare
lv she even questioned him thus far
Her reserve and reticence amazed and
incensei her sister. 1t WAS not that
Jessie was unkinl wilfally, only she
did not believe IN these long engag ge
ments.
ooh, I've been harrassel in a hun
dred ways, replied Stephenson, irrita,
bly,. the whole things beastly
grind. Ny Francesca dA Rimini has
been sent back from San Francisco -
Eely thought he could sell it 50 easily!
Well, this is the result And-oh well,
the usual troubles. NJ use retailing
them over to you. Bell. We ought to
talk of something else beside filthy
iucre-or the want of 1t.
lie laughed, though tritle harshly
4 am very sorry, murmurel Bell.
BY the Way, he continued, chang
ing to lighter tone, in which there
was perhaps the least little sign of en-
barrassment, not unnotioed by Bells
gentle ears. 4 am going off to leave
you for few days-out of town. My
brains (what there is Of them) are fair
ly drying up. Unless | give them d
soaking into some refreshing fluid BY
change of scene and atmosphere that
great picture which is to make one
person immortal and two eternally
happy will never get itself done. Dc
you mind my goiug:'
4 think 1t will 60 you good and be
better for your work, too. An artist
cannot drudge IN one groove forever
No, do not mind. And it is getting
so hot now also in the city.
i wish you could have II change,
little girl, said Vane, taking her slim
hand in his. Don't you think YOU will
get away for a few days:
no., said Bell, softly. Poor Tom
you know
Vane could not master q movement
Of inpatience. Poor Tom If even
there wa, 4 suiltless Indlviuual,,-