Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-02-04

splint-chair before the blaze, was
drinking her coffee, and Ailecn sal
spinning at tho old wheel, with cheeks
softly reddened and blue eyes spark
ling-a very picture of health and
beauty.
Both started at the sudden appari-
tion of the captain on the threshold.
IL beg your pardonl' SAID Captain
Dulany, lifting his hat. 4 saw the
light shining out, and was afraid that
something had happened
Something has happened said Al
leen, laughingly. 4 have learned to
spin. And grandma end are having
picnic. Will you come in, Captain
Dulany?
well, since your coffee smells SC
good, I think 1 will, said the gallant
young officer.
His cup-which for lack of more ex-
pensive china happened to be mug
was scarcely poured out, before their
numbers were augmented by Mr.. Fer
rars and young Doctor Fenchurd, who
had seen the lights, and had also Oh
served 'Hotspur' fastened to the fence.
May we venture to intruder said
they, peeping in over the stair-rail.
oh, certainly! said grandma, smil-
ing.
And Aileen distributed handleless
cups and bountiful slices Of golden
brown corn, cake, yet steaming from
the fire, to her guests.
we are hardly prepared to enter
tain so large company said she, com
posedly; but we can, at all events, give
you sincere welcome
Two-three-half dozen more
dropped in. Old Pomp was summoned
to pour fresh pine-cones on the blaze
and bring more coffee and corn cake.
He grinned from ear to ear.
'Pow'ful like de good old times, said
he, to Aunt Felicia. when he returned
to his cabin. DE berry cream OBJ de
gentry enjoyin' de corn pones an coffee
like dey was our own old marse's $
folks. Amt muffin like corn pone for
rale good flavor. dat dey amt. An
the young lady from de Norf, she's as
pretty as peach. Reckon de capting
tinks so, too. He, he he!'
And old Pomp shook his sides with
an inaudible chuckle of glee.
Later in the evening the gentlemen
went up to the house, where stood the
three Misses Harrington in simper
ing row.
But their call there was iusipid, and
several of them returned to the Stone
Barn to finish their evening.
Adrian Dulany remained the latest
Of all-so late, in fact, that it was he
who escorted grandma-who hadSis-
creetly fallen asleep in her big chair
some time ago-and Aileen to the
house, under whispering pine boughs,
by the light of a big round moon.
The three cousins, whose list of calls
had long since ended, were yawning in
the parlor.
Dear mel, cried Selma, as the htte
group came in. Where have you been
all day, Aileen?'
In the old stone burn chamber,
learning to spin,' SAID Aileen, laugh
ing and coloring.
Juanita looked sharply at her. What
change had subtly crept over her voice
and manner? Then she looked at Cap
tain Adrians bright face.
Take good care of her, said the
young officer, tenderly removing the
heavy shawl from Ailcen's shoulder
'She has promised to be my wife, be-
fore great many weeks
1t Was not until Dulany had gone
that the full cannonade of questions
burst on Aileen's devoted head.
Girls, girls! don't all speak at once,
said grandma. It's just exactly as I've
always told you. The right one will
be sure to came along if you sit in the
chimney corner and wait. And that
was just what Aileen was doing this
evening"
And that night when the frost white
stars of midnight climbed the sky, All
leen whispered:
'Good-by, sweet New Years Day
the happiest have ever known T
n T,n YAY uJJLr CY,Yy " nyYI Il ~