Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-03-05

cheeks and perplexiLg appeal on her
face.
Klttie Lee is face to face with the
most trying ordeal Of her young life
She not only loves, but is doubly loved.
Two proposals have been made for her
land within the day, and here in the
orchard, in the hush and quiet of the
afternoon, she is making a decision that
will perhaps bring blessing and joy to
one heart. and fasten anguish and de-
srair on another.
She looks far away, where acre upon
acre of land, rich IN a wealth Of grain
and woods, join those of her fa' her, ON
the neat country residence of Jack
Rawley-and tries to decide if she loves
their prlm aristocratic young owner,
who dotes on his fast horses, blooded
stock, and dign1ied family connections.
She recalls as she has an hundred times
during the day, his brief words Of pro-
posi:
"Kitte Lee, you are very dear to me
We were playmAtes in childhood, and
have been friends through all these
years. The old homes,eads join. |
love you, and ask you to be my wife,
lie was handsome and rich. They
had secured the country on horseback
and passed the years great deal in
each Others company. His family was
one into which the elite of the country
would gladly have Marie |. Girls
smiled their sweetest when Jack was
near, and men never tired of payi ,g him
compliments. Mothers recognized him
us the "catcil' Of the times, and entered
into many schemes and lntrigues, with
Jack as the central object.
Did she love hun ? Could she refuse
riches and position, when laid at her
feet ?
Her gaze wandered to the left, where
the smoke hung over the city. She
could hear of and anon the snriI
whistle of engines, and the mut1led tone
of bells. In imagination she stood at
the window of the banking house of
Sheer & Co. and peered in. Raymond
Flood was busy with the books. In the
glow Of the electric lighr, she saw his
pale handsome face, with care and pa
tience written on it. 1t was an attrac
tive face. 1t showed lines of courage,
truth and honor-;l face that would
attract attention anywhere. a smile
was on his lips. and she rightly guessed
he was thinking of her. Tears arose to
Kttie's eyes as she thought of RAYMOND
That morning in a gentle, half apollo.
ge,ic voice, lie had ayowed his love for
her. H.. had no fortune to lay at her
feet From ear y youth his on y teacher
had been adversitv. lie had naught
to offer but pure love ; he asked only to
be permitted to shield her from the
cares of life, to feel that in the future
she would ever be with him, strength
eniug his ambition, urging hlm onward
and upward. Colld she eyer forget
that voice, those pleading eyes of deep
est blue, hat flushed AID manly face,
that strong, quiverng form: There
was no doubt us to which of these men
she loved.
Kittie Lee was like most girls. She
loved to re courted She loyed to have
men worship at her shrine of beauty
She had many good traits, but position
and riches had II strange fascination for
her, and as she looked again at Jacks
broad acres, and thought Of the honor
of his family, Ravmond's face faded
away. Jack had won. She bowed her
head, and wert bitterly Tue sunbe ,ms
fade. The bees and birds are quiet -
The voices of the night are hAs;led, and
al the land is dark.
-Four years after. kitte and Jack
no longer appear upon the scene as
Iyers. O the years have brought so
many changes! Death has been an
unwelcome visitor and K;tie has lived
to see her dear mother and father laid
side by side in the old church yard on
the hill. Her young heart has been
made to feel the anguish of bereaye-
m.nt. Another grave a wee one, Is
enslrined in her heart. The little blue
eyed baby g,rl that bridget over the
tide of grief that swept over her when
her father died, has been sleeping there
by his side for long, long weeks. How
often has she wished that she might be
there too.-away from all the dross and
glitter, the anguish and pain of hsr life.
Kittie is un'anpv, Jack Rawlpy has