Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-02-26

suit her for the world, and then b.
would trouble her no more.
The next day was Mrs. Harman's a
home day, and it was his custom (
drop in on these occasions tor SOM
tennis.
So, when the afternoon came, h'
donned his hannels, took his racket, anc
went round.
Mrs. Hartman, Aura. and q yougel
sister we're sitting on the lawn.
They greeted him as usual, but Aurs
did not raise her eyes, rnd her face wa:
pale and grave.
Why, Philip, how i'll you look : said
the motherly Mrs. Harman who treat
ed all young men as if they were hol
own sons. whats the matter with
you? bilious attack p
lie laughed and shook his head.
It's a chill, then. You stayed toe
long in the garden last night
Yes that's it., he sald quickly, tc
escape further catechism and then hls
heart leaped, for Aura looked at him
But the afternoon passed away with
out his exchanging a word alone with
her, and he went home IN frame o.
mind bordering on desperation.
In the evening us it was growing
dusk, he wandered disconsolately down
the road toward the church. As he
turned round u curve in the road. ht
saw figure in front of him, carrying &
waterproof in one hand, a bunch Of flow
IN the other. He knew the outline an
the carriage.
1t was Aura
Where could she be going? Now
was his opportunity to make his peace
with her.
He followed at distance and watch
ed her, unobserved She threaded her
way among the graves until she came
to one with IA white headStone. Upon
the green mound was hollow tin cross
of the kind made to hold water and
| flowers.
Aura knelt upon tho grass, removed
the faded flowers and discolored water
reflled it with water from the pot she
had brought, and proceeded to arrange
in it, with careful fingers, the fresh
blossoms of her boquet.
What can 1t mean?' Philip ask ed
himself, as he stood in the shadow OF
the church porch, spy upon his love
Her father and mother are living
She told me herself that she had never
lost Il sister or brother and the family
were not in mourning when We came
here year and u half ago
When she had finished her work ihe
glrl did not Immediately rise to go
She sat on the grass in dropping atti
tude, and presently drew ont her hand
kerchirf, and applied it to her eyes. A
rang shot through Philip. and Re half
started forward. She was crying. All
ii only he might comfort her
At last she arose and departed by tn.
way she had come.
AS the churchyard gate clinched after
he1, two or three big strla:s brought
Philip to the grave, and he read the
black lettering thereon.
Sacred to the memory of Franz
Paine, only son Of Charles and Hannal
Paine. Died August 10th, 1887. Aget
% years.
The blood rushed to the young man
head, and glddincss came oyer him
This, then was the barrier she ha,
spoken of. She loved, but her love
was dead, and that was why 1t was al
insult for the living to speak of sucl
things to her.
He looked down at the flowers who's
very freshness seemed to bid him hop
no more. This was his rival, lying un
der the sod, or happily watching hin
with eyes OF triumph, from the unseen
world.
Aura! Aura y he sroaned is ther
no happiness for either of US, then !!
After this night the churchyarI ha'
Il strange fascination tor him, and eacl
evening after his return from town
when dinner was over, he stole out t.
gaze at that headstone with burning
jealousy in his heart
Every other evening he Aur
come with her can of water and renew
the blooms. On the fourth occasion h
overlook her and deprived her Of tn
burden of the watering pot.
Miss Aura he said, presently, wi!
you forget what | said IN the garden
and forgive me, and count he agal
among your friends?
She was silent for a minute.