Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-05-16
THURMONT frederick County, Maryland Thursday May IS, 1885,

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And now she had come back to blast
his life.
At sight of the pallor upon his face
she broke into discordant laugh.
How scared you look she cried.
why haYe you come back AnnetteT
he asked.
DO you think don't know all about
you-that you have another wife and
child? Oh, there amt much you can
tell me about youself that l don't know
already. Why have I come backT she
pursued mockinely->why because I'm
tired Of a r)ying life. want to settle
down in peace and quietness under my
own rooftree. in the afternoon days,asthe
books say
Annette said Colin, trying to clear
the husky sound from his voice what
good will it do you to upset my whole
life? If you will 60 quietly away l will
send you money every month, so that
you can liye comfortable
No. I want the moral support Of a
husband. I want some one to work for
me. What's the use Of bandying
words?
But why did you make me believe
you dead?'
>Oh, it struck me it would be a good
plan. I was afraid you might find out
where was-you were such an elevated
character in those days-and try to re-
claim me-
She made few steps forward but he
put himself in front Of her.
Where are you going?'
Nm going to have look at your
house and new Wife
Woman, did ever lay the weight of
my hand upon you in all the years you
made my home hell? But now I
tell you that ifyou take another step III
strike you dead
She looked at the white face out of
which the eyes burned black, and the
tense hand clutohing the knotty stick
and shrank back, daunted but half ad-
miring.
u tell you I'm tired Of being cuffed
about the world. I want to settle down
Il don't mean that want to stay here.
If you will come away with me will
go quietly, if not
Silence followed her unspoken threat.
Colin stood with his eyes fixed on the
ground. There arose in his mind a
picture Of his own youth, full Of bright.
ness and happiness; how he had risen
rapidly in his profession and how this
woman had diSgraced him, so that he
had longed to hide himself from the
world. When he looked at her he cur
sed for forbearance that had given her
shelter.
Then, believing her dead, he lett his
northern home and came to the South
where no one knew his history. To
break with the past entirely he had
become tiller of the soil, and his crops
had flourished and rewarded his indus.
try.
Years passed and he struck his roots
deep down in the quiet country he had
chosen for his own. Then he met Lucy
with her flower face and shining hair,
and loye, which had seemed thing
impossible to him, blossomed again
sweetly in his heart.
These few years. How simple and
happy they had been. They were end
ed now. If he must leave her-as it
seemed he must-he would make it ap-
pear that he had been drowned. She
would 20 back to live with her father
and mother, who loved her as parents
love an only child. She would wear
black dress-he seemed to see her little
face, pinched and sorrowful above her
sombre garment-and the boy would be
taught to love his dead father. They
would point to the sky and tell him that
Papa is up in heaven 1t was best.
At length he spoke.
u suppose must 60 with YOU
But when? Annette demanded, with
flash of triumph in her eyes.
Tonight. The sooner the better. since
it must be-
But I don't understand. Where
shall l meet YOU?
u have thought of that. There are
three large oak trees on the river bank
about half mile on the other side of
town. Be there at 10 o'clock and l can
take you in my skiff to the opposite
bank. Then 1 can hail an up-river
boat. Stay anywhere until then and
don't dare to mention my name.
AS Colin turned his face towards the
home that was soon to be his no more,