Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-02-12
Mahmnytown Frederick County, MDand Thursday February Z 1884,

without pang OF intoxicating pleasure
and yet pain.
"Gracios I but no wonder lie was
sullen, fierce even with me for strang-
er. l asked him if his wife never
danced
You did ? And what did he say?
Some one, your brother Hal, l think,
claimed me for the lanciers just then,
and didn't see him alone again all
evening"
Her laughter subsided-laughter in
which her hostess had heartily joined.
He is a very determined looking
loan. l shouldn't care to run counter
to his will, said Cleo, lazily.
'He probably bullied his poor wife
into the grave. Such men, these dark,
broad. browed Hercules, always do, I
think
%, the contrary, they say he was
very good to her; but your question
must have startled him the more
because she ran away from him several
weeks before her death, fled to Paris
with her music teacher, and became a
dancer on the stage, tits whispered.-
It's said, also. that she was pretty,
half educated young fisher girl, and It's
even an on dit. or was many, many
years ago-that the husband followed
them to Paris, tracked them, and shot
the lover. No one ever knew for Ger.
tain, but for years and years Philip
Dartmoor was never seen in social
way.
They say he was very fast young
man at college, where he married,
gambler and spendthrift generally; he
has. if 1t is true, certainly reaped the
tares of his folly sowing. AS long as |
have known HIM, never, until to.
night, saw him look at woman with
admiration in his keen, cold, gray eyes.
'Well'-she rose to 60 for All ormu-
III clock on the mantelpiece WAS sternly
indicating three-"good night. or rath-
er, morning. If you 60 to sleep on that
rug, you'll take cold, and we can't af-
ford to have You laid away from our
admirng ken, even for a day, Lotus
Blossom
When alone, the girl arose and quick
ly undretsed to retire.
A slight draught of cold air made
her examine the windows opening on
a balcony which extended the entire
length Of the house.
One was open, and through it came
the fragrant aroma of IA Cuban cigar
With something like start, the girl
drew back. A man. form, tall, dark.
dist,nque-the form of the man whose
melancholy story she had just heard,
was striding away over the cleaning
white snow.
Sac Ireamt of hl m that night, weird
wild dream, in which be was altern ate
ly chasing her over cruel craes, then
catching her on the brink of awful
abysses. No wonder she arose antag.
onistlc to this stranger who had dared
to ruihe her beauty sleep.
But he had gone for ride, solitary
one, for all the other guests came strag
Cling in to merry breakfast together
at late hour and it was high noon
before the master of Ferncrags returned
his keen, gray eyes more unreadable
than ever, the sternness Of his face
reaching down in expression to the
clank of his spurred top boots.
Miss Crespigny was fascinated, re-
PEELED. What was there in this mans
eyes that should draw hers ,rily nlly:
Why should his slow, rare smile send
her heart IL throb with an undefnable
pain
"You sing?' he asked her, after tea.
the others with quick, compre-
hensiye glance around the roon-"seem
all pared off and mated. If you will
come with me to the music room-an
eager undercurrent in his courteous
tones-"I shall be delighted to be your
auditor, your assistant, any post or part
YOU assign me-
II am sired,' returned the girl, al
most pettishly.
Then, avoiding those gray, magnetic
eyes she granted his request. heartily
ashamed to have forgotten herself be-
fore him for an instant even.
"What shall it be p she asked, seat
ing herself at the piano and running
her 1.-THE, slim fingers over tho ivory
keys! "A song of love, or Of war;
You must choose since you are the on
ly one to hear it"
"Of love then. Ladies should never
sing of war;" he answered her, half
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