Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-06-26
THE SWEETHEARTS.
A Delightful Chicago Variation OF

And you hlyen my explanation to
give:
what explanation do you want ? l
have told you I wished to break off the
engagement because it has become irk-
some to me. Isn't that enough
The young man uncrossed his legs,
got up, and reached for his hat.
Seems strange he SAID, as a yearn.
ing look came into his ewes, that the
engagement didn't become irksome to
you until the oyster season was over.
Miss Pankey did not deign any REPLY
and Algernon Swackhammer, with low
bow, turned upon his heel and walked
out.
When the door had closed upon his
retreating form she sank nervously in
to u chair.
The stupid wretch she exclaimed.
lie ought to have had more sense than
to take me at my word J
Suddenly she stopped to the floor,
picked up a small Ivory tablet that had
dropped from Algernon's pocket, press
ed passlonately to her lips, bowed her
head upon her hands, and sobbed aloud.
Years had passed. The afternoon
sun was gliding the prctentious spires
and cupolas Of an ambitious Western
town, and the soft, weird music of the
fish peddler's horn was heard in the
street when Il mlddleaged man with a
valise in his hand opened the gate in
front of a modest but neat and we'll
built cottage, walked brlskly up the
steps, and knocked at the door.
A lady answered the knock, a lady
we'll preserved but no longer young.
The stranger barred his head. His
hair was beginning to turn gray, but
time had evidently dealt with him leni.
emily, and care had left no deep traces
on his brow. lie spoke:
is the gentleman Of the house-Am
| dreaming? lsn'tthis Cashmere Pan
key? Or rather and he smiled
isn't this the lady who was once Miss
Cashmere Pankey ?
I am Miss Pankey,' she answered -
and you are Algernon Swackhammer.
recognized you as soon as SAW you.
Won't you come in:'
We'll, we'll. SAID the middleaged
traveller, as he sat in an easy chair In
the front parlor a few moments later
and looked with interest at the face Of
the lady. who would have thought
of meeting you here? And you tell me
you are still Miss Pankey? Isn't this
your home :"
lit is my brothers. He is widow.
er, keep house for him.
And you have never married.
No.
'llow have you prospered
IL have 70 reason for complaint.
And you?'
1 have had a great many hard
knocks, Cassimere-Miss Pankey, since
we met last. BY the way, we parted
rather unceremonously, didn't we?
The lady sighed.
And have always felt that l owed
you an apology he continued, for not
sending your photograph back after you
had returned mine, but the fact is he
went on, awkwardly, Il -er-couldn t
find it. 1t had got lost somehow.
Miss Pankey sighed again.
THAT reminds me-, pursued Mr..
Swackhammer, that l lost little book
slate the last evening l was at your
house. l must have dropped it out Of
my pocket In some way. 1t wasn't of
any particular value, and don't know
when | have thought Of it before, but
the recollection Of it happened to occur
to Inc Just now. 1t was LILLE black
book slate, with
I think it was an ivory tablet
No. I am not quite positive it was
little black book slate.
Il am sure it was a white tablet.
Going to the mantel she opened a
plush-lined jewel casket and took out a
little ivory tablet.
Here 1t 49, she said.
And you have kept it all these yearsl'
exclaim ed Mr. Swackhammcr.
Yes
I see | was mistaken. But to change
the subject. Do you consider yourself
-aw-fxed in life Have you ng-no
plans for the future p