Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-04-25

Weary waiting for sailors return,
Rita, my dearP returned the father.
BY the way, when does sail?'
/ Her eyes filled with tears"
Tomorrow. Oh papa. it breaks my
heart
'Humph Well, we'll perhaps Fabi.
ans heart is not SO fragile. At all
events there is party Of his friends
going out with him on his trip the
Murray and with them Mrs. Murray 8
sister, the rich widow, Mrs. Dashington.
You remember her, Rita?
The girl turned away with a shud-
DER Remember Florence Dashington,
the pretty, iasipid young widow, who
lavished her smiles and houeyed words
upon Van her Van at every opportu-
nifty? Going out with him in White
Wings; long journey, during which
the two would be constantly together |!
The thought struck the girls faithful
heart with sharp pang. She would
see Van once more; he was coming for
brief good bye, then she would ask
him, she would know if this were true.
Van Fabian's call was necessarily
short. There was fond farewell and
just before he left her, Rita put the
question that troubled her jealous little
heart. Was it true that Mrs. Dashing.
ton was going out upon the White
Wings to Havre?
Van Fabian smiled.
Yes, she is going. dear, he returned
Quite large party. 1 believe. Oh my
darling if only you were coming as--as
my. wife Rita, this is the last voyage
shall take without you, so be warned
in time, my darling.
The last farewells were said Van
was gone and with her pale face full of
heartoreak. and the tears streaming
down her cheeks. Rita was Fastening
from the room where the goodbyes had
been spoken, when right in the hall
way she c,me plump against man, a
stranger to her, who had just eutered
the house, short thickset unpleasant
looking man with red face and pomp-
GUS oveabearing manner. He bowed
courteously before her while the poor
girl stammered forth an attempt at an
apology.
1t was her fathers voice, stern and
displeased at sight Of her tears. He
had followed the stranger in Rita's
presence, and had witnessed .he whole
scene.
MY daughter, Mr. Carroll, was the
brief presentation and Rita groaned
in wardly, as she acknowledged it.
She realized what was in store for
her and she did not overrate the situa-
ton. From that day she knew no
peace. no rest. The quiet masterful
manner in which Mr.. Carroll appropri-
atcd her to himself, made her half
wild with indignation. But all her
coldness was OF no avail. Her persist.
ent suitor at length found place and
oppoit tunity to ask the momentous
question. and listened insqaiet amuse-
ment to the girl refusal.
Dear. dear! Is it possible that you
really care for that young naval officer
YETI he asked sarcastically. Why, l
believed that little filtration of yours
entirely over, or. OF course, / would
not have troubled you, Miss Richmond
You are very faithful to a-mere mem
ory. BY the way, have you heard the
the news? That Lieutenant Van Fa.
bian was married to Mrs. Florence
Dashington on board the White Wings,
before the vessel was week out of sight
of land? 1t is-true-really, Miss
Rita; the whole aff,ir was chronicled
in one of the newspapers. Quite ro-
nance. Il wedding at sea Here I
will show you copy
How Rita Richmond ever lived thr'o
the sad quarter of an hour which fol-
lowed she never knew.
Shewas conscious of sinking into a
seat. holding in both cold shaking
hands an open newspaper, her eyes fas-
tened upon Aowery description of the
water.
And she had not received a lire
from Van since the White Wing had
left the port.
Oh, the numb. horrible agony which
chrushed upon he. brain and nearly be-
reft her of life!
Aud then Georges hated voice went
op in a low. monotonous murmur.
| And Rita, dear Rita! people are
talking; they are saving that you are
breaking yo".s: heart oyer Lieutenant
F.. f...olu's Inconsistency. That you are