Catoctin clarion., 1894-12-27
7HURM0NT Frederick County, Maryland, Thursday December H. 1884,

two little motherless girls, who in thei'
turn bestowed their love lavishly upon
her. Their mother to them was scarce
ly memory, but they spoke continual
ly of their father.
'Papa's in Europe said May, who
was the elder. but he'll be home in q
couple Of months, and is going to bring
us lots Of lovely things, and I'm going
to write him letter all by myself she
concluded Significantly.
'And. Minnie, you won't read it, will
you? she pleaded earnestly.
certainly not DEAR replied Minnie,
If you don't wish it; but hope you will
spell your words properly, and not
make any blots.'
'Oh, he dosen't care for that retorted
May. ut wouldn't matter to him if
their was blot in it as big as my head.
Well I hope there won't be. for my
sake, returned Minnie, smiling.
May wrote her letter and sealed it
with an air of mysterious Importance
and watched Minnie eagerly as she ad-
dressed it for her.
Hell do what I tell him. she said
confidently, for he is the incest papa in
the world
He arrived on a warm September
afternoon. Mr.. Pringle met him at the
depot.
How are the children? was the frat
question Of the handsome young father,
as he took his seat in the carriage beside
the lawyer.
Splendid replied that functionary.
DO they get along with the new house
keeper"
Iguess so.'
'Do they like her?'
Seem to-
Il was in such hurry before sailing
that didn't have time to see her, or
anything, but her references were all
right, and she sent her picture. liked
the looks of her.
YOU did. hey?, responded Mr.. Prin-
gle dryly.
why yes did. She seemed to me
like a reliable person. Why, what 8
the matter with her?
Nothing, as l can see.'
Well don't exactly understand your
manner. Who is the little girl the chill
dren haye there to play with? May
spoke of her in her letter as Minnie, but
l couldn't make out half of the child's
letter.
What's the name of the now house.
keeper
why, she signed her name to me as
Mrs. Mary Ann Wood and thought
she was the very person to suit me-
No doubt you'll think 50 STILL said
Mr.. Pringle with twinkle in his eye.
Here we are. No thank you, I won't
come in now. There are the children
come out to meet you. Good bye
Minnie had done all she could to
make the house attractive on his arrival
by placing vases Of flowers in every
available place; and her heart beat as
she heard him mount the stairs to his
own room. She wondered if he was as
nice an old gentleman as Mr.. Prlngle,
and if he would be satisfied with her
management Of the house and children.
She kept in her own room till the din
ner bell rang and then,in her COO, white
dress, slowly descended the stairs.
The children darted to meet her.
Here's Minnie. papa they exclaimed
dragging her into the diuingroom.
Arthur Harding received shock of
surprise as be gazed at the lovely girl
before him; but he quickly recovered
himself, and bowed politely.
YOU really must pardon me and
them,' he said, for children are 80 very
unintelligible that I think we must in
troduce ourselves I am their father,
as perhaps you know
Yes said Minnie, and I am Miss
Wood
,Ah 2 responded he cordially. And
may ask if you are any relation to
the lady who superintends my house,
and teaches my children ?
Y am the person whom you engaged
to superintend the house and take care
of the children, answered Minnie.
>Then l haye been laboring under
mistake Of some kind said he. but
"A fearful crank, an awful croak,
My wife has come to be-"
So said friend one dreary day,
In confidence to me.
"Did st e 'er irqui,e,'' said to him.
What pains and aches she knows?
AS like as not she's tortured by