Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-10-16
CELIN E..
BY ANNABEL DWIGHT.

She remembered vaguely as one re-
members dream, beautiful home and
a tender face bending above her; but
that must have been long ago, for she
was twelve years old now, and for years
and wars it seemed to her she had been
tramping about the country with old
Pierre and the big black bear Peter.
1t was bitter cold night.
They had stopped at dirty, disrep-
utable little inn, where Pierre, after
drinking to excess, became quarTelsome.
One loafer drew revolver and Pierre
whipped out long knife.
The two men closed in a deadly
struggle; there was flash of steel, a
sharp report, and Pierre rolled oyer
lifeless with bullet through his head,
while his antagonist, with CHASTITY
wound across his throat, gasped away
his existence.
Wild with terror, Celine ran out into
the night.
Old Peter, who was fastened in the
door yard, broke his tether and sham
bled after her, for be and Celine were
great friends.
All his prettlest tricks were perform.
ed for her, and It was marvel to see
the pretty child and the ugly brute
waltzlng to the music OF OLD Pierre's
violin.
The ground was frozen hard. and
rough to Celinc's poorly clad feet; the
keen wind pierced through her thin
garments, and the stars glittered coldly
in the great vault above her as she
fastened on with Peter close behind.
1t was a lonely country road, but
presently she saw a ray of light and
then house loomed upon her right.
She followed the graveled path
around to the side entrance, and there
overcome by terror and fatigue she fell
senseless against the door.
Noel Garvis was passing through the
hall on bis way to the library, when he
heard the heavy fall followed by pc
cullar shutting and granting.
lie threw the door wide open, and as
the hall lamp threw broad ray OF
light out upon the porch, he called
sharply to his housekeeper:
"Mrs. Watson, come here, quickly r
Mrs. Watson came as quickly us two
hundred pounds Of flesh could trayel.
but shrunk back again with an exclama-
ton Of dismay, for there before the
entrance lay girl either dead or in
swoon, while round and round her
walked huge bear, now and then lap
ping her white face with his long, red
tongue, and uttering an uneasy grunt.
"Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Watson
said Garvis reassuringly. "The bear
is tame. Ipassed this girl, the bear,
and an old Frenchman few miles back,
on my way from the city this afternoon.
Poor child y
He raised Celiue in his arms, and
carried her into the house.
Peter would have followed had not
Mrs. Watson. with scant ceremony, shut
the door in his lordship's face.
Cellne was placed upon lounge IN
the library, and measures taken to re-
store her to consciousness, while Peter
sat like a g1otesque black image at the
door waiting for his gentle mistress.
1t was many days before he saw her
again.
Before morning she was wild with
fever, and Peter was consigned to cap
tiyity in the Toulouse.
Noel Garvls had neither wife or child
or other living relative.
Friends, either real or pretended, he
had by dozens, for, with his handsome
fortune and his fine presence, lie was
extremely popular.
When Celine, after long illness, ca1ae
back from the arms of Death little
palIid creature. with eyes too big for
her small face, and told her pitiful sto.
ry, Garvis announced his intention of
adopting her.
Mrs. Watson thought it a great risk
to take Il wandering gypsy into his
home, and besides she thought him too
young Tor such charge.
Il am twenty.eight, Mrs. Watson
that is quite fatherly age am sure"
he said, with his grave, sweet smile
"Think how safe and happy can make
the child's life and what will become
of her if turn her out ?"
Il am sure | don't know" returned
Mrs. Watson, perceiviug that her mas
ter was set IN this new idea. "She is Il
good little thing. | don't think her
hard life has quite spoiled her. But
whatever shall We do with that great