Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-11-06
No. 29


hide the fact from us. Her struggles to
control her emotions were vain; the color
fed from her cheeks and her lips quiv-
cred. The conduct of her friends was
rude and ungenerous. and she consider
ed herself affronted.
"'How does that concern you? I must
say l consider you most unmannerlY,'
were the words which fell upon us like
clap of thunder. Our astonishment
knew no hound, and without further
ceremony We FASTENED from the scene
where our pride bad met SO shocking
blow.
"This little incident happened abouta
month after Cecile's quarrel with her
cousin Victor. No one had received
tidngs of him since his disappearance.
"We afterwards heard that a few
weeks after Capt. Lyman's departure
Cecile had been the recipient of a docu-
ment which proved beyond doubt the
duplicity of the man fol whose sake
she had forfeited the love of worthy
man. Imagine her humility, her vain
regrets and the remorse which must have
gnawed 1T her heart like worm. The
evening we surprised her under the trees
we were ignorant of this important state
of affairs. Her incivility toward US
proved that she misconstrued our mo.
tives in stopping; she supposed we had
heard troubles and to tease her we had
pnrposely intruded upon her.
",Inis was the end of our association
with her. The war Was now ended and
| returned to the conycnt to complete
nv education. One by one the soldiers
came struggling hcme. Many weremiss.
ing, but they were all accounted for;
scme had fallen IN battle and others had
succumbed to the hardshlps of war. But
Victor, the handsome Creole, never
more glvd,lened with his presence the
hearts OF his friends.
"At first Cecile awaited his return
with patience pltiful to see, but when
month after month went by and no ti-
dlngs came OF him. she gave vent to her
despair IN violent and uncomfortable
grief. To this day no one has his fate.
Some believed that tie unfortunate
youth was killed in an encounter with
Capt Lymon. 1t is certain that he ney-
er rejoined his company after he lett
the p?rish.
"And Cecile, during al these years,
has been broodng over her secret sor-
row. She is now wreck, on the 'bor.
ders of insanity. They tell me there is
in her face wistful, longing look which
appeals to the heart. Sometimes 1t is
wild and despairing ard overshadows
her once Beautiful eyes. She has lost
: all interest in life, and passes her time
wandering over the premises, or else
she sits where you have seen her. appar.
emily watching for somebody. Mr.. ia
: cob, ever kind and faithful, has been
her guardian.
"Soon after the close Of the war be
, withdrew from the society of his friends
, and consecrated his life to the service
of his beloved Cecile, once the pride of
his heart
, On our homeward ride we passed the
!, old house in the evening.
J "LooA p exclaimed my friend sudden
> ly checking the horse. There is Mr..
Jacob now, walking towards the banks
t with his daughter"
scanned the couple with curiosity.
: The old man was barefooted, and
walked in STOPPING posture like one
. carrying heavy burden. His shabby
clothes hung loosely about him, and the
brim of his old hat partially concealed
? his long struggling locks.
Just as We passed them Cecile turned
her face in our direction and silently
beckoned to her father.
shall never forget that werid figure
silhouetted In the light Of dying day.
Epsilon IN New Orleans Tlmes-Dem-