Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-10-18
his friend Noel Ware.

his friend Noel Ware.
>And rromi to guard it WELL he
added.
Noel Ware did not trust himself to
speak. He pressed his friends hand
in token of assent, and soon after took
his leave.
On reaching his lodgings-he was a
bachelor-he locked the packet away i'll
the desk in which he kept his papers.
Then, sitting down, he began to re-
fleet how sad it was that two friends
like himself and Archibald Baldwin,
after plodding so many years together,
should be forced to part at the last stage
Of the journey, and he should be left to
finish it alone.
There had been bit Of romance in
the llyes Of these two. In their youth
they had both loved the same woman.
Had the wooing of either prospered,
they would probably never have been
friends But a third competitor had
borne off the prize; and the bond OF a
common disappointment, in time,
strengthened into tie between the
foiled suitors closer than is commonly
found to unite two men-or women
eithor, for that matter.
Many years had passed since then.
The two friends had stood, in turn, at
the gravesde of their fortunate rival,
and of her at whose shrine they had
once jointly worshiped-upon whose
destitute, orphaned child they hence
forward We'd with each other in lavish
ing every care.
And Maud Preston had grown up
loving Uncle Archie and Uncle Noel
so she called them-better than most
children loved their parents.
She lived with Uncle Archie, who
was rich and kept house, but was none
the less fond OF Uncle Noel, who came
to see her, and had so many pleasant
stories to tell.
That Maud Preston would one day
have Archibald Baldwin 5 fortune was
in everybody's mouth-except Archi-
bald Baldwin's s own.
He had relative "a very distant one
it is true-yet near enough to stand his
heir if the law was left to take its
course.
OF this kinsman Mr.. Baldwin stood
not little in awe; and not without
reason for there was something in Jared
Swipes broad face, with its bas-relief
features, that reminded one Of an adder
when it mems mischief.
At the time of which We speak Maud
Preston WAS at school. Uncle Archie S
illness had been kept secret from her
"There is always time enough for bad
news said the kindly old man the even
ing he gave Noel Ware the packet.
But the time was shorter than he
thought. When the sun shown in upon
Archibald Baldwin s face the next morn
ing it seemed that of d man in peaceful
slumber.
The servant who came stole noiseless'
Iy away not wishing to disturb the
sleeper. Unless psecautlon from the
sleep there was no wakening.
When Noel Ware reached his friend g
house, be found Jared Swipe already in
possession.
I've gone over the paper and there's
no will SAID the latter with all air OF
insolent triumph.
AS soon as he could lecently, Noel
Ware hurried home, determined to
bring right to light without delay.
He opened the desk, searched q
moment. and then stood aghast The
packet was gone
The more he tried to faith om the
mystery the more it bai1led his efforts
till at last he gave it up and set down
in despair.
He had not the heart to write tc
Maud. lie could not be the first to com.
municate the i'll news that would be
sure to reach her soon enough.
That gracious office Mr.. Hwipe under
took. Coarsely and brutally, after an.
nouncing the death Of Baldwin he went
on to give notice. as that gentleman e
successor, that hencetorward, Miss Pres
ton must shift for herself unless, in
deed, she preferred to accept Mr.. Swipe
as husband. in which case he offered
in postscript, TO come down hand
some
When Maud read of Uncle Archie s
death her eyes were blinded with tears
but they flashed fire at the concluding
words of the letter.
Hastily completing preparations
she took kindly leave of the teachers
and 8choolmates, and hurried away.
Poor Maud Here was sorrowful
| awakening from pleasant dreams. She