Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-02-11


in keeping with his habtual dignity.
When he opened the envelope he was
surprised to find one Of his own letters
in it, although he had never written to
her. A look Of CONSERVATION spread
over his face as be read it.
In his boyhood he had Il little sweet
heart named Rose Ri,lston. 1t was
stipulated between the parents of both
that the two should be married when
they were old enough.
He was sent to school on the CONT
nent, where he stayd until he had attain
ed his majority. He then wrote home
declining to renew the attachment Of
his boyhood, or to carry out the stipu-
lAtions. Indeed, so emphatic was he
that one or two sentences were unkind
because uucalled for.
He stared at the letter in dazed
way.
How did Miss Conover get hold of
it?' he asked himself And what was
her object in redirecting it to me: She
promised to give Inc her decision-'
He broke the line of his thought with
asharp exclamation.
I've solved the mystery he mutter-
ell. Kate Conover is Rose Ralston.
She is little hlrt, and fancies that
she's even with me
He closed his c n jectures with an ex-
preston which was near profanity.
aunt Rachel he said, when he had
leioined his aunt, do you know that
Miss Conovrr is Rose PaIston :,
'Imposslble. exclaimed Mrs. Gamer
But, annt. she is.
Did she say SO?
NO. Do you think her coming here
was-was-planned :?
Why, no, Brice. 1t came about by
accident. She didn't know you were
here, or that ] am your aunt.
You are sure Of that 2
'Of course am. What doe; she say
in the lttter::'
1T isn't from her.
'Eh Who then 9
why did she masquerade here under
another name evadel Bruce. Why
should she masquerade anywhe'e?'
Ny dear boy can answer that,
Mrs. Cameron said. \ am not con-
yinced that such is the case
We'll, it doesn't matter much, any.
how Rutherford rcjoined, which Was
bold falsehood, Tor he knew that it
mattercd IL good zeal to him.
Il 81 # X i; *
A year later found Kate Conover was
standing in grove in the Yellowstone
park. She was looking down ii long
vista OF charming scenery, her face
bronzed, her form plump aud the blue III
her eyes deeper and sweeter than ever.
! She heard footsteps behind her, and
on turning around behelu handsome
sun Drowned tourist. A second, anu
her face grew very red, for the man was
Brice Ru uhertord. She had punished
him. to be sure but she had also pun
lshed herself.
lie relieved her of her embarrrass-
ment by offtrrrlng his hand with easy
gracefulness.
I'll now take your answer, he SAID.
what answer? :? she asked, with re-
newed blusheS.
This is September he reminded.
'OhN circulated she. so it is' but
named last Septembe. left you my
answer.
But there wasn't anything in it for
me, or else was too stupid to see it.
1t may haye implied -
Yes, it implied, she interrupted,
with IA charming little laugh.
Oh, bother that idiotic letter !! he
cried.
And your stumpv, rompiug, treclied
faced, tomboy sweetheart, Rose Ralston,
added she, quoting from the letter.
4 meant nothing by it, and I'm sor-
ry | wrote it, replied Brice, getting rcd
il. the face IN turn. I could not fore
see that | Il afterward meet Rose Ral.
ston in Kate Conover, and fall in love
with her. You have two names, and
you should not be punctillous about as
suming third. Mine is at your SER
vice. pIease give me the answer you
promised.
well, Brice, she said, her blue eyes
dancing with fun, l ain nol able to re-
call the question with much distinct
hess. Ifyou will repeat it, i'll the same
attitude, with the same feryor and with
the same wind, waiting look in your
eyes, perhaps NAV be able
oh, ! coulIn't, interrupted Brlce.
laughing. One such effort in life