Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-03-19
JUSp ZOO LAFb,

ter from Bert Philips, a young New
Yorker, whom'1 expected some day to
marry. 1t was very slow in Boone
mo,lntaih, and I don't know what
skould haye done for society if it had
not been for Ed. Parsons, the handsome
son Of farmer. 1t was so dark when
I was half way home that I missed my
road, and with visions of bears in nv
mind | climbed tree to see where
was.
From my breezy station could look
down through moving network Of
boughs and sprays and see something
dark pausing at the foo Of the tree, and
presently it settled down among the
dead leaves there, as If with the full in
tcnton of placing me in state of siege.
My heart stood still. How long was
this to last? How far could | calculate
on my strength and persistence I'clos.
ed my eyes aud feeling Of dizziness
came over me. opened them again and
there was the horrible thing still crouch
ing stealtnily at the foot of the tree. I
mad never tainted in my life, but now
comptehended how people might feel
when sense and consciousness deserted
them and left them at the mercy Of the
Great Beyond.
Hush A clear, sweet whistle. Surely
that WAS Ned Parsons whiStling his ta-.
orte air of my Ain Countree' down
the mountain side. summoned up all
my courage and shouted aloud:
Help! Help Help!'
a loul halo answered HE there was
the sound o, footsteps plunging through
brambles, springing oyer fallen logs.
Nelly Where are you. Nelly: In
the name Of all possessed, what arr 7ot:
doing up there crled Ned, coming toa
S s'andstill half dozeh yards or SO from
my haven Of refuge.
Oh, be careful. Ned = Shriekel
The bear the bear J
What bear? Where 2
Close to the foot Of the tree. Don't
you see him. | gasped.
But it isn't a bear sad Ned, after Il
few seconds of careful investigation.
DO you suppose IA bear will stand still
like this when be sees I. man and a rife
approaching him ? It's Nick, the dog I
missed him five minutes ago. He il
waiting for me here.
To this day l anr not prepared to au-
swer, on oath, as to how | came down
ont of that tree e-whetuer | fell out of
it, whether l jumped, or whether |
climbed down after the regulation fash.
ion but | certainly Came down and in
another second | Was clasplng old Nick
about his shaggy neck, and laughing
in wild way that was nearly akin to
tears.
TO think cried out, that I've taxi
en- old Nick for bear 10 think that he
frightened me so.
| walked home, leaning on Mel Par
son s arm. He had never seemed 60
manly u man to Inc before. He did not
laugh at me, as be might have done. He
did not make fun of my ridiculous blum.
der but he was us tender and gentleto
me as If l had been frightened child.
And then and there I made up my
mind that Ned Parsons was more wor-
thy Of a womans love than BERTHE Phil
IDS, down in New York. / resolved to
play the coquette no longer. | deter.
mined to abandon my role of Il modern
Lady Clara We're de We're.
Break a country heart
For pastime, ere went to town.
IIow can ever thank you?' whls-
rered as we parted at the foot of the
winding wooden stairway.
Il am already thanked. he said cour-
teously.
Mrs. Parsons was much edited when
she heard of my adventures, for | told
her the whole story AS SIT warming my
feet before the fire, while she was frying
the chickens for supper.
We'll, l do declare! said she. TO
think that Edward should happen along
50 handy. And he don't generally get
back so early from Black Valley. But
she amt to hum just now. She's gone
to New York to get her weddin fxins.
Who isn't at home ? said I. who
has gone to New York ?
why, Fanny Bolton, to be sure. The
minister's second darter.
But who is Fanny Bolton? ?
Don't you know The girl our Ell.
ward is engaged to.
! Engaged My eyeids fell ; sudden
rush of crimson suffused my face.