Catoctin clarion., 1891-10-01
No, "a
assionate words had found echo in his


As the last notes died away he met
the glance Of a pair of dark brown eyes,
that dropped beneath his own, as soft,
red flush swept over the delicate. sensi-
tive face, and lie knew his eyes had
spoken to Elsie Vernon, and she-ah,
Heaven! was he mad or dreaming, Of
what had be read in hers?
Elsie Vernon, however, came Of a
brave race, and the secret of her heart
was her own, and as the days passed on,
Roy Glenallen laughed at his folly, to
beleye he had read aught but sisterly
kindness in Elsie Vernon eyes.
And so the wedding day drew near,
and the struggle in Roy GIenallen's
heart left its marks upon him till he
was little like the gay. debonnaire gen
tIeman who had wooed Cieta Vernon,
for her beauty and the royal bearing
that would grace his home.
One day Elsie found Cleta standing
passion pale before picture that had
come to her az wedding present from
Vance Seymour, who Was going abroad
before the wedding.
Only woman g face framed IN flow.
ers as she bent from the window case.
ment, and spoke to man who leaned
on the railing below her.
A very simple picture, but to the
girl standing before 1t, with face palid
as death, it would be reminder of the
day she quenched the life of Vance
Seymour's loyal heart.
Lovers they had been, though no
love. words had been spoken.
The temptation of Roy Glenallen's
wealth and position had been too much
TOR Cleta, and she had given up her ar
tist lover for his sake.
God only knew what she felt stand
ing there; only as Elsie paused at the
door, she saw Cleta sink on her knees
with cry of passionate despair and the
words, "To0 late too late y fell upon
her ears.
Without a word Elsie stole away,
leaving Cleta alone with her remorse,
but poor childish Elsie felt she must
haye dreamed that scene, when that
evening Cleta was among the gayest Of
the gay.
You will drive with me tomorrow,
Cleta' Roy said before he left, Il havea
new span of which am rather proud
Cleta bowed.
you will come. Elsie, he said.
Elsie made some slight objection.
You must come, Cleta said, 'the air
will do you good. | did not notice how
pale you had grown lately, till mother
spoke of it yesterday. Do you think
Elsie changed, Roy?'
Elsie certainly was not pale at that
moment, for, as Roy turned to her,
crimson flush mounted to her brow,
though she met his glance bravely.
you will come, Elsie, he naid, and
please both Cleta and me?'
The day dawned fair and clear, and
when Roy Glenallen called for them.
Ceta insisted on Elsie driving with
them.
Perhaps it was fate that took mstters
in its own hands when bright red
were the roses in June, or rather when
Colonel Genallen's horses took fright
and dashed madly down the road, de-
spite the firm hand that held the re,ns.
Sit still, Else-Cleta,' he said,
through his compressed lips, Il will
conquer them
The girls knew 1t was their only
hope, and though paid as death, they
kept their places as on dashed the mad.
dened animals
Suddenly cry of terror broke from
Cletas lips.
The precipice God helpus we are
lost
I cannot stop them in time Roy
Glenallsn said, and it would be useless
to Jump. Iwish to God it were my own
| life alone.
! To the day of their death, neither of
the three liked to recall that moment,
and then
A tall form dashed before the horses,
a hand of IRON checked them for mo-
ment, they reared, plunged, leaped for
ward and then stopped, shivering.
They were saved but their re, cuer
lay in their wake. the red blood ooz-
ing from ghastly wound in his fore
head.
1T is Vance Seymour. Elsie cried.
A cry of agony rang from Cleta Ver-
mons lips and the next moment she was
kneellng at his side, and calling his
name with passionate tenderness.
Vance! Vance My darling!
Speak to me she cried.
Suddenly she drew her engagement
/