Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-04-05
Family Newspaper independent Poidcsot Literature Local and General News
Mechanicsbwn Frederick County, Maryland, Thursday April 1885,

Other rides followed that first one
and with each day Allan felt that some
thing was coming between them.
"There" she exclaimed hall pettishly
as she bent to recover it. You will
have to this made smaller, Allan-it
won't stay on my finger. Take it to
town with you tomorrow.
She dropped it into his hand then,
with sudden change of mood, contrlv-
ed to make the remnant OF his visit so
pleasant that his half.formed fears were
once more allayed.
Several days elapsed before the ring
was ready, but when at last Allan came
to restore it, it was with strange fore
boding which in all its sharp bitterness
was realized the moment he stood be-
fore her, and caught the glitter ola dia-
mond solitaire on the finger his modest
token encirc,ed.
What does this mean, Evelyn he
grasped, asby pale.
I was riding with Mr.. Farnsworth
last evening" faltered Evelyn, flushing
guiltily and his proposal took me so
by surprise, that he had slipped the
ring Oh my finger before had q chance
to demonstrate. But, Allan, l have
felt for some time that | never could
be poor man wife; and it is better
so. Good-bye..
A moment longer Allan lingerer cast
ing one heart broken look upon her ;
then turning he got out Of the house
somehow, staggered rather than walked
a few steps and fell prone upon the
grass.
Suddenly pair of soft little arms
were flung impetuously around his neck
and sweet childish voice sounded in
his ears
oh, what is it what is it? What
makes you feel 50 dreadful ? Cant I
do something for you:
Allan lifted his sad, heavy eyes, IN
stinct with look Of desolate heart. hun
ger, to the sweet young face bending
over him.
"Nothing-nothing he answered
hoarsely. NY life dream is ended
and | am going away :
'-Awoyl 7 echoed Carele, with start.
You told me YOU were going to be my
brother.'
'Ah, child repeated Allan, bitterly
We tell more than We know sometimes
shall never be your brother now !,
Good bve, little one : he exclaimed
suddenly seizing her hand, and almost
crushing it in his. "Iou, at least, will
have one kind word-one plying fare
well for me
With a quick, impnlslve movement
the child threw herself into his arms in
passion of weeping.
Good. bye. good bye she sobbed,
hiding her face on his shoulder. oh,
I'm so sorry--so sorry. It's so wicked
IN Sister Evelyn to let YOU 60. And
didn't she even kiss you for goodbye
NO, indeed " was the desperate re-
ioinder. "IIer kisses have all been
bought by another "
Then I will =
And claspirg him closely around the
neck, the child pressed her sweet little
lips to his.
God bless you" murmured Allan,
whlo strange, sweet comfort seemed
to tighten his heart. Perhaps | may
return some day--but | will never Tor
get that | have one little friend.
He held her close in his arms mo
ment longer-then releasing her, turn
ed and went his way.
Carelle watched him from sight then
sinking down upon the grass, buried
her face in her hands and sobbed as if
her little heart would break.
Six years had passed.
Redstone Hall was blaze of light
in honor of the brilliant festivities that
were at their height, when Allan Wcare
entered on the arm Of Il friend.
You have seen no titled beauty
abroad who can compare with our IL
tania-Carelle Murray his friend had
said. SHE counts her adorers by the
score, but they never get any nearer.
All. here comes our fair hostess.
A slender, graceful figure in gleam-
ing satin and creamy lace, approached
them holding out her hand Of welcome.
For the frs time in six years Allans
hand met hers, but 1t awoke not the
flintest tremor in his heart.
At the same moment, his gaze, wan
dering through the room, fell upon
radiant little vision in crimson and