Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-01-10
No. 3:8.

1T ls possible, because have found
those traits in his character. hat fam
cy the face Corresponds answered my
brother, with provoking coolness.
Come, come, john demonstrated
my father, are you not putting it ratL-
er too stronsy:'
No, SIR responded Jol~, promptly.
He is weak, he is cowardly-'
How shockingly unflin, murmured
Clara.
He is a man in whose ear the words
self denial, self-sacrifce, have no mean-
ing whatever. Hs does not know what
it is to deny himself for the good Of
others. If the life of the woman he
loved was in danger, here Johns
voice trembled as be gazed fixedIy at
Clara-'hc would not risk his precious
little to save her..
My friend flushed scarlet, and an.
swercd: I do not believe it, he would
do, he would. dare as much as any one.'
Suddenly, the meaning of her bushes,
and Arthur m5arrassment as | had
interrupted an eager eonHersation that
very afternoon, flashed across my mind.
1t was Clara's last week with us
Although should miss my friend, yet,
on the whole, vas rather glad that
her visit was so near an end, for
could not help seeing that her presence
panied my brother in a thousand ways.
hoped that when she vas gone he
might forget her, and yet, at the same
time, knew we'll that forgerulness
was well nigh an impossibility with one
whose affections were as strong and last
ing as those Of John.
Arthur Newcome came into the
house, one evening, with some tickets
in his hand. Anything for change
he said gayly. There is to be a per-
formancc, tonight, at the Opera House,
and thought it was sure to be worth
seeing as the company is an excellent
ONE. They will have crowded house,
for when l sent my man down to the
ticket office this morning, he found
long line of people waiting for the op.
ening for the doors. | am sorry can
not offer you better seats these are in
the front row of the first balcony, they
were the best he could get. However,
you have a fine view of the stage, and
the seats are perfectly comfortable
When evening came, John begged to
be excused, and in response to Clare s
earnest entreaty that he would accom-.
pany us, answered. curtly, that he had
Il business appointment with friend.
but that he would step in sometime.
perhaps, during the evening.
The theatre was SO densely crowded
that, by the time the curtain rose, pIa-
cards were placed outside, no standing
room
The performance went on smoothly.
Clara, with Arthur at her side, folding
programme, adjusting her opera glasses
and in thousand little ways minister
Ing to her comfort, was the object OF
many envious glances from the young
ladies around US.
Somehow, I could not get interested
in the play. The memory of my broth
er's troubled, unhappy face, haunted
me, ana my eyes wandered idly about
the house. All at once, I started. Was
it imagination could have sworn
that l saw shower of sparks falling on
the stage. l passed my hands across
my eycs-tlrere it was again. Two or
three large cinlers dropping swiftly be-
hind that tree at the left. Clara saw
them at the same time. and Der face
blanched with fear, as she touched Ar
thurs arm and whispered:
is -it-hre: ?
Aud she pointed toward the stage.
Even as she spoke, little pointed
let of fame wreathed itself around the
edge of the curtain. Arthur turned
very pale, and rose to his feet. with his
ewes riveted on the curtain. ives con-
scious of an increasing uneasness in the
audience. People looked into each 9TH
er's faces approhensively, and moved
nervousIy in their seats while hve or
six started for the doors. AT this mo-
ment, little puff of smoke rolled out
from under the heavy drarerles, and
innumerable tiny tongues of fame flick
cred and leapei upward, while, with
binding glare, the flies were suddenly
wrapped in a sheet Of fire.
Arthur Newcome sprang to his 1eet
white with terror, and shaking OIL
Ciara's trembling little hand, plunged
into the M: DIST Of the painting struggling
swaying mass of frantic human beings
There, $ ,on we saw him, striking Wild
]v 10 the right and left. and making