Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-02-04
Mechancgown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Feb H. 1885,

| StouooAooS A-oo
the fact that Captain Dulany CHANGED
to be passing, and rescued her from
the big-horned enemy! with prompt
gallantry.
He was so very kindP said Aileen,
wistfully. DO you think, grandma
that I ought to tell my aunt and the
girls that be walks with me when I g
to the post Office? Or that he gave me
them beautiful, deep-blue asters that
they thought found in the copse? OF
that it was he discovered the big bunch
of mistletoe in Greenough's woods?'
We'll, not unless they ask you, sale
old Mrs. Harrington, Struggling hel
shoulders.
For she had heard her three grand.
daughters discussing the Dulany ones
tion with some acrimony.
I'm the eldest, Selma had said
tartly, and ought to have the first
chance. If any of us is to call with
ma at Dulany Beeches, it shall be me!
You always We're a selfish thing!
said Norma. Captain Dulany's moth
err has large library, and you know
very we'll that I'm literary
I'm the youngest, and don't see
why should be poked into a corner
always pouted Mss Juanita-Judith.
But Selma, by strength Of years and
tongue, had carried her point.
So when New Years Day approach =
ed, and Aieen timidly consulted Aunt
Harrington rs to what she should
wear, that matron opened her large,
light eyes with counterfeited amaze
ment.
You, child?' said she. why, you're
not to CONS in at all ! The girls don't
want whole drove in the parlor.-
Three women are quite enough. And
you're so young, you know.
I'm seventeen, aunt! ! faltered Al
leen.
Two or three years hence will do
very we'll for you,' said the relentless
elder. TRY and put such silly non
sense out of your head !!
And this WAS why Aileen was cry
ing.
Old Mrs. Harrington understood it
all very we'll. She had been young
once. She saw the folly of interference
in this particular case. however.
'Dan'ls wife likes her own way, said
she. She amt pleasant if she thinks
any ore is meddlin'. I'll tell you what
Aileen-you and III so out to the big
chamoer over the stun barn, and get
Pomp to build us up Il real good fire
of pine logs in the old chimbly. There S
a carpet loom there and spiLnin :
wheel and all the fixin's and I'll show
how I used to spin flax when / was a
gal, and weave rag carp't.'
Will YOU: said Aileen, with bright
ening eyes. oh, grandma, how very,
very rice that will be- And can roast
chestnuts and apples in .1e ashes?-and
will you tell me about your sailor
lover that was browne. before you
ever saw my Grandfather Harrngton?'
Yes SAID the old lady-'yesP Well
hev our New Years by ourselves me
and you, child
So Aileen put away the pretty, little
blue merino gown that she had re-
trimmed for New Year's Day, and
donned instead the brown Merrimac
calico that made her lopk like robin
redbreast, and just about. the time that
her three cousins wee quarreling for
the possession Of the Di5gest dressing
glass to "do" their hair, she and her
grandmother were adjusting the an
cient spinning wheel N the stone barn
chamber, and plling wood in the cav
ernous recess of the huge fireplace.
They had very pleasant New Years
Day, after all, though the tears came
to Aileen's blue eyes once or twice,
when the carriages rolled by over the
hard-frozen road toward the house.
And at dusk she lighted the cheer
full candles, and sat down to prepare
grandma's supper, with fresh corn
cakes, baked in the hot embers, &C
cording to the recipe Of Aunt Felicia,
the colored cook, fragrant coffee, and
sweet apples, roasted, and eaten with
cream.
But Captain Dulany, riding his Nor
gan horse, Hotspur, through the pine
woods, drew rein close by the old stone
barn, whence he had not seen the red
lights cleaning out for ten years.
'What can it be?' he asked himself.
tyJo n ;Idrop mead m nlov ot Ghost IN