Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-02-25

more was here you would never dare 70
speak thus. My husbands friends and
mine shall not be traduced In my pres
ence unrebuked.'
Very we'll. 1 forgive you, Mrs
Merlotte, for you know not what you
do, said John Edson, slowly, sadly
and then he turned from the spot and
walked with the aid of a crutch down
the road
The impudance of that creature,
uttered pretty Amy Merlotte, as she
returned to her duties within. 1 know
he once saved my brothers life-it was
thus he came to be a cripple, they say,
but am to permit all manner of in
suit on that account? John Edison.
You presume too much. far too much.
Amy was self willed beauty before
she married Jerome Merlotte, and a
six months residence in the woods had
not tanned her proud spirit. She was
proud of her beauty, and proud of her
family name. The man she married
was we'll to do Young lumberman,
who expected at 40 distant day to win
a fortune equal to hat Of his father in
law. Although city bred, Amy gladly
accompanied jerome to the woods.
1T will only be for little time, he
SAID. I shall IN the near future try
and make it convenient to rear house
in one OF the large towns on the lake
Amy loved har husband, and she
was not selfish enough to attempt to
thwart his wishe,. And thus we find
her mistress of home in the woods,
not far from tn ? scene Of Jerome Mer-
lotte's lumberi0g operations. At the
time Of our sto.y Jerome was absent on
business, and Vas not expected to re
turn under for aad twenty hours.
1t was just 4fter noon that John Ed,
son, Jerome's scaler, had stepped in
and aroused tn. indignation of Amy by
speaking in terms not hattering to o.
car Baltimore, a gentleman from Chi
cago, who had been OIL intimate terms
with the Merlottes for some weeks, and
in whom Amy WAS considerably inter,
eeted.
Baltimore was a speculator, and had
much to say about corners in pine. he
was handsome, chat =. and wlthal most
interesting and agree eble to the forest
imprisoned young wife. She had learn
ed to enjoy his fascntting company i'm
mensely. One word against the spec
ulator her husbands friend-set the
fires of Indignation burning in Amy
Merlotte's heart at once.
A stiff breeze was blowing from the
vest, and the air was strongly impreg
mated with reSinous-slnelllng smoke -
Several times during the afternoon
Amy went to the door and looked
forth. The smoke was drifting thro
the trees, and altogether the outlook
was not pleasant. AT about 4 in the
afternoon q horscman halted at the
door and ca He'd Mrs. H!erlottc.
'rhe openings Is al. atire, snd the
man, a rough raftsmAn, and the old
choppin's S south Of here's catchia it
It'll be we'll enough for folks to look
out, for its powerful lrv just now
'The woods on fire. cried Amy in
alarm.
Yes, ma am, they be. Where's yer
man?'
He went to Muskeg3n n this morning
Creation!
The man gave vent to low whls.
per. He plucked at hs busy beard
and seemed in trouble
.'Taint safe here, he at length eiacu
lated. 'Mebbc you'd better 90 to some
neighbor's.
Then he spurred on before Amy
could question him further.
To say that Amy Merlotte was trou
bled, and alarmed, BIT family express
ses her feeling at that moment. She
gazed up and down The road. The
smoke was settling Ike Il pail, and as
the girI-wife bent hcG head to listen, a
dull roar greeted her oars-the roar Of
swift approaching fire!
My soul! what shall | do"
As if in answer to her question u
man appeared suddenly before her--a
tall, slender man, with midnight eyes
and huge mustacho. He lifted his hat
and bowed gallsntIy.
Oh, Mr.. Baltimore, | am so glad you
have GOMEZ exclaimed Amy, with re-
lieved feeling.
4 am always at your service, Mrs.
Merlotte.' He smoothed his moustache
u,;tb s,ll,on ,yhita Enrara and stood