Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-03-07

cheeks. He was tugging nervously al
his dark mustache. He looked agitated
and perple4ed.
NV mother died ten years ago. said
Rosine, and since then ! have lived
with Aunt Magnolia
Mr.. Ellsworth regarded her grimly.
'Is that be asked. abruptly, your
aunt's gown you have onT
:fhe soft rose fire in the girls cheek
deepened.
How in the world did you know p
she counter questioned.
A queer, wavering emile was bis Only
reply.
A constrained silence ensued Cyril
gave his uncle an astonished glance.
so Magnolia is an old maid Y said
Mr.. Ellsworth. abruptly.
If she is,' cried Rosine. stuog to de-
fence by remark she considered rude,
it is because she was true to q lover
who proved unworthy of her.
'Eh p CALCULATED Mr.. Ellsworth, more
sharply than before. And suddenly be
turned and walked away.
The folio wing day he insisted on &C.
companying his nephew to the gaunt,
ramshackle, once aristocratic old house
in the French quarter. where Rosine
lived. AS they were passing the vault
ed entrance to the little tagged court
yard, Albert Ellsworth caught sight of
a familiar figure moving among the
potted palms and boxes Of blooms.
>Go on ,lad,' be said to Cyril. He had
paused, and was looking through the
brief avenue of gloom to the brightness
beyond.
Cyril was about to question this new
vagary. when the thought Of a peculiar
possibility made him catch his breath
and do as bidden. BE knocked at the
barred black door, and was admitted to
Resides radiant presence. And mean
while his uncle went into the courtyard.
The little old lady standing by the ba-
mana tree looked up at the sound Of the
step on the stones.
Magnolia 7 he cried.
Miss Magnolia gazed at him in a
dazed ,half-frightened way. Did ghosts
ever appear in the daytime Stouter
than he whom she had known, and with
hair grown gray but the same. Around
her, in a fantastic dance, the broken
fountain, the long leayed banana trees,
and the giant oleanders went whirling,
She didn't faint, but she Came nearer to
it than she ever had come in her life.
Did you think had deserted you,
Magnolia? When left you to 60 north
on business, believed IN you as I've
never believed in anyone since. And
while away heard and read that you
had married that young Wilde l used
to be 90 jealous Of, so went to Europe.
And l stayed there
>ButClayton Wilde married Madeline
I always told you he came to see her.
Yves, l know that-now. was a
fool to have been so easily convinced Of
your falsity. You havn't changed bit
I knew you the moment l saw you.
Miss Magnolia smiled delightedly
She did not know he bad expected to
see her.
u never forgot the dress you wore the
last time SAW you.' declared Mr.. Ellis
worth. waxing fervent. u recognized
it on your niece last night
last night! Are you-surelv YOU
ere not the dragon y
'Wha-at?
'The-the dragonv faltered Miss
Magnolia.
Mr. Ellsworth still looked blank.
THAT murmered the little lady, feel
ing she was in for 1t, and might as we'll
make clean breast, was what Rosine
and called Cvril's unol And Rosine
was going to conquer him
He burst out laughing.
We'll, she did. The boy shall marry
Madeline's pretty daughter, and you
Magnolia-you'll marry mep
'Oh, deaf, no I'm 90 old.'
Mot a day
And ugly-now.'
'Loveliest woman in the world to me,
insisted the dragon, loyalty.
BLESS you, my children, cried voice
from above.
The pair in the courtyard glanced up
Gu one of the inner balconies stood
Rosine and Cyril.
Vanish, you scampsv roared the
dragon.
u shan't allow you to marry south
ern girl, sir Y shouted back Cyril, as he
and Rosine beat brisk retreat.
l.o,tL,ln,s kbov f,coH