Catoctin clarion., 1889-07-18
Mechancshwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday MJ 18, 1885,


family-as If child of sixteen evel
stopped to reason or reflect! and Geof-
frey says he'll never help nor acknowl
edge her.
Isn't 1T to bad ! cried Mrs. Arkell
Indignantly. 'And it's no fault of hers
that Frank Plume was a scroundrel
and a spendthrift. I've no patience
with those naughty aristocrats, who
deem themselves too high to associate
with common flesh and BLOOD
Just month later, the Arkell party
with Mr.. Godfrey Plume acting as at
tendant cavalier, were picnicking a
mong the ruins Of Pompeii, drinking
iced champagne, and nibbling cold
chicken and tongue, where, centuries
ago, some Italian banquet was stricken
into dust and eternal silence.
Miles Arkell himself was just light
ing cigar. Mrs. Arkell was trying
the broad strings Of her gypsy hat, and
Godfrey Plume leaned over the slight
graceful figure of a girl of eighteen, who
had a sketck- book spred upon her knee,
and was rapidly outlining the scent that
lay bathed in sunshine at her feet.
She was dark and brilliant, with a
creamy skin, and large, languid eyes
while the blue-black masses Of her hair
were fastened in one heavy braid at the
back Of her head, and faint tlnge Of
coral.red glowed on either cheek
one of those Oriental beauties who re-
mind one Of pomegranate blossom, or
u tropical bird, or a glittering diamond
and very evidently Mr.. Plume felt the
witchery Of her dark eyes and velvet
skin, and graceful, languid manner.
You have reproduced it exactly, Miss
Ethelynr he cried, admiringly. How
I envy you the talent Of those deft fin.
gers"
Miss Ethelyn smiled.
You overrate my poor gift. she said;
and after all, MIR. Plume, it would be a
mere accomplishment to you. To me
it is bread and butter. You seem to
forget that l am nothing more or less
than Mrs. Arkell's governess,
Geoffrey Plume bit his lips. 1t was
true; but he did not exactly like to be
reminded of it. Aristocrat though he
was, he was fast losing his heart to
Mrs. Arkell's dewy-eyed governess.-
And honest Miles himself taxed bis
friend with the soft impeachment, as
they sat together on ruined column,
while Miss Ethelyn gathered the wan.
dering little flock of children about her
and told them stories of the gorgeous
dead city which was now but a name Of
the past.
well, why shouldn't I?' retorted
Geofrey Plume. 4 never saw so lovely
a creature in my life before. She never
looks twice alike. Her eyes are like
unfathomable wells Of light. Isn't
there Italian ancestry somewhere in her
lineage: What did you say her name
was? Maude Ethelyn?'
'Yes.'
"A fit name for her dark, sparkling
beauty. And-but, good heavens -
what is that?'
1t was wild cry for aid. Mss Eth.
elyn had advanced too near a steep,
crumbling terrace, on the edge Of the
hill. One of the carved stone blocks
had given away, and Maude had slipped
and fallen.
For one Instant, Plume stood pale
and terror stricken. How deep was the
embankment? Was Maude Ethel yn
lying dead at its base? or bruised or
manned beyond all possibility of recog-
milton? He sprang forward, crying out,
in the extremity of his CONSERVATION.
No, no Maude-my Maude, l will
strive with Deaths self before l will let
you go'
But the next instant, however, Ethe.
lyn met him, face face, pale, but
quite safe.
1 am not hurt-only frightenen,' she
said. 1T was an awkward slip, and |
fear my ankle is sprained; but fortu-
nately the distance was not great !
But Godfrey Plume drew her to him.
The moment of hesitation unscaled his
eyes to the actual state of his own heart.
'Maude.' he cried, If you had been
killed, | should have committed suicide
myself! Dearest Mauds, l love you!
But to his infinite surprise, Miss
Ethelyn drew her hand away.
Hush y she cried-'oh, hush There
is barrier between us!
"A barrier
.Your own nrile and resentment,