Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-11-10

long her patience would exist unier the
unusual tension Of her fathers ua-
reasonableness, and dreaded her fol-
lowing her threats into execution.
1t was worse than useless to argue
with her father so she quietly began to
sort the papers and roll his plans INTO
long cylinders of the glistening fabric.
After a time her father tonned his
scrupulously neat but old fashioned
overcoat and much brushed silk hat,
aud, with the pompous air OF il railroad
president, informed her that he would
not return until evening.
You may inform Miss Gillighan that
| shall lunch down town. was his cut
ting finale, as he drew on the neat black
gloves which Fern had mended SO care.
fully the night before.
Oh, father she pleaded, Il shall feel
that you are angry with me if you
don t.
Mr.. Hayward fumbled in his vest
pocket, not that he did not know its
exact contents down to the punched
dime which the conductor OH the ele
waited knew as we'll he. but just to as.
sumo an air OF displeasure and poverty.
Il shall have to come, he answered,
at length, Since my household has be-
come so extravaganza. Why, your
mothers wedding gown did not cost so
much
Who knows but that this may be
mine ? is the merry retort which rings
through his memory as he picks his way
past Meloria and her pools Of soapsuds
upon the front steps, but the broad,
smiling and malicious Good luck to ye,
sir is thrown upon barren soil, for he
de,gns no reply tohis humble pensioLer.
That afternoon Fern and Meloria held
consultation, and in spite of the lat
ter's disgust Fern decides that she will
outrage society and wear her old dotted
swiss.
I'll surprise f;ther, she decided tri
umphantly. You see, Meloria, I'll cut
it out at the neck, and make little
puffed sleeves of this wide sash, and, do
YOU know, III feel much better than IN
the cheap gauze | had thought of, ii
you will iron it nicelyY
"rhat | will if you'll promise to pay
good mite for the sash and ribbons
Mr.. Hayward scanned hts daughter
with premiditated iisapproval. In his
heart he had to confess that he had
never seen a fairer picture than the llv-
ing embodiment of youth and modest
beauty before him.
The swiss remodeled and made after
bebe pattern with the firm, round
arms uncovered from the elbow, but
the radiant face with it's dusky eyes
glowing in childish anticipation, would
have beautifed any dress.
When to his criticisms she laughingly
cried that he was thorough man Lot
to know that it WASH t new at all and
had been trimmed in all these fashy
ribbons for 50 he grow soluble IN his
praises and blushed uncomfortably as
she offered to return 81.
No he answered, trying to become
facetious we will see what the ultl-
matum is, and may be you can haye it
towards your wedding gown
Both laughed at the absurdlty of the
speech, bat when Meloria heard car.
rage stop and went down to receive
her young mistress her honest blue eyes
opened vide to see the distinguished.
looking man who helped her oyer the
pavement to the door and fingered a
moment to be sure that she was not at
all fatlgned and receive her fAlterlng,
blusiling thanks for his and bis mothers
kindness in bringing her home.
One month later Fern is invited TO
Mrs. Lansings to tea and she avoids
Meloria' S eyes as she asks her to iron
the famous Swiss dress.
MIR. Lansing asked me to wear it to-
night, and, Mel oria--he says he would
be so pleased If l would wear 1t the
evening three months from now when
become his wife, because wore it when
first he saw me-
But in spite of the domestic's en-
treaties to add bit of lace or some
thing 'dignltyin Fern added nothing
to its simplicity for either occasion ex'
cept spray of maiden hair, the sweet
est and most fragile of the ferns for
which she was named.
Nv, i,o, thin1 n, r,,ntlv-tha thief