Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-10-13
No. 26
legged individual, like the court testers

'On, L QunhO, MISS hartford, sne
been gettin' ready to be married this
long time said Jonas. hosting the
colonel's luggage on the back of the
wagon. 'And dressmakers and milli-
ners they will talk, you know, though
I'm told Miss Hal took great pans to
hide it,.
Did she P aside 'Thc darling!) .
And fine woman she is, colonel,
ofliciously added Jonas, as he pushed
in the last IRON clamped trunk. A
very fine woman, considering her age
l wonder she amt married long ago.
Colonel Blossom opened his sleepy
black eyes wide.
why. man. who in the world are you
talking about?'
why, Miss Hal Hartford. to be sure
Miss Halcyon or Miss IIalliana ?
There amt no Miss Halliana, said
Jonas. They re both the same name,
but we call the Aunt Miss Hal and the
niece Miss Halcyon. My daughter,
she's lady's maid there, and Id orter
know, If any one does.
'And which of them is it that is going
to get married ? breathlessly queried
Blossom.
Why. the old un, in course Beg
pardon 7 hurrledly added Jonas, r
mean Miss Hal. Polly, she tells me
there's twenty four different gowns or
dered, let alone the jackets and parasols
and ten button kid gloves fit to make
your halr stand on end
And Miss Halcyon-the young
lady cried the colonel; she's en-
gagged too?' .
Not as any one knows on. That all,
colonel? Got your telescope bay
Then we'd better be movln'.
Colonel Blesson pondered seriously
al! the way up to Hartford Cedars, OBJ
livlous of Jonas incessant str,am Of
talk. Gould it be possible? No. that
was utter nonsense! And vet
lie strained his eyes as he approach,
ed the house. Surely golden haired
Halcyon would be there, smiling, to
meet him.
But no. In her place stood a middle
aged charmer, rouged and powdered.
with hair cleaning meretriciously and
teeth Just size too large for thin
Tipped mouth.
In one hand she held his love breath
ING letter. in the other his photograph.
And during that second her heart sank
like lead.
He did not know-ah, how much
more difficult would it haye been to
bear had he known y that Halcyon
Hartford's eyes were surreptitlously
watching him from the honeysuckle
garlanded easement beyond.
Dear Charles, the elderly damsel
said, you are here at last
He set his teeth, drew one long breath
and allowed her to slip caressing
hand through his arm and lead him in
to the house. muttering some hoarse
acknowledgment Of her coquettish
smiles.
I've brought this upon myself he
thought, and must endure it. The
lady is not to blame -no, she Is not to-
blame
He is a hero Halcyon thoug hit:
yes, hero
And then she burst into passion of
tears and ran upstairs into her room.
But now I've got you fairly here,
lisped Aunt Hal, more determinedly.
youthful than ever. I'm really afraid
dearest Charles, that there's great
disappoint in store tor you.
'Eh 2
The young man had sat down in a
rather llstless manner. Aunt Hal held
onto his hand, still all teeth and smiles.
and | may as we'll tell you ut once,'
said she. that m already engaged to
Judge Flostroy, of the superior court.
Of course, Ii had known of your at
tachment IN time, there's no saying
on, pray don't let me interfere with
any existing arrangements, said Bles-
on, jumping up eagerly. Perhaps
Nder The circumstances you will let
ne have my photograph back
Just then there came ring at the
door below as the maid announced
Judge Flostroy, miss, if you please
Before the slow and ponderous steps
of the approaching visitor could reach
the room Aunt Hal had thrust the
photograph into Blossoms hand.
"A hem m y sonorously coughed the
luminary of the superior court.
Aunt Hal trlpped smiIihgfy forward.
Glad to See you, judge, she cooed.
This is my old playmate, Colonel Bles-
sob, Just arrived from India. | dare
say, colonel, you'll find Halcyon some-
where about the hou e.
Disposed of in short order, muttered
Colonel Blossom Great Heavens what
have / done to deserve such luck /?
Two hours afterward the young low.
ers sat on the veranda watching the ev-
ening stars rise over the hills, while the
Judges basso profundo voice still rolled
in the sitting room like distant thunder.
But wasn't it narrow escape?
gasped the young colonel, holding the
glrl s slim hands in his.
would you really have married her?
Hacyon asked.
AS gentleman there was no escape
for me, under the circumstances.
But would you really have married.
her.? ..,
Yes, | would
,,I;c, r!,1