Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-24

unrInged hand, The IS just AS much at
liberty to marry some one else as you
are. There is nothing in the world but
a boy and girl promise between you. 1t
is entirely open to me or any other man
to try to win you.
But when he did not "tease" her like
this there We're times when his domi-
nant personality attracted her, sho being
of that gentle, dependent order OF Wom-
an that a strong man fights for and
cherishes as long as there is breath i'll
his body, aye, and loves as the self suf-
ficing, strong woman never is, never can
be loved. Nannie's image, sweet, kiss
able, most womanly and lovely, was
sealed on Trelawny's eyes, and through
it he saw only vague shapes of other
women who camo and went. There are
few men capable Of such absorption in
one image, ard these not always OF the
best kind, but those who are usually
carry it stamped upon them to their
graves and after. And this morning,
walking in the long, cool shadows OF
the giant trees in the park, he strained
every nervo to put the girl Oft her guard,
to soften her toward him when present.
II ne should ask her for the last time
what he had SO often asked before III
vain.
And Hagar walking beside them. her
pallor unnoticed, her thoughts her own,
knew that she had come to turning OF
the ways, that the time when she should
be able to show gratitude to God for the
one chance, SO passionately prayed for,
SO mercifully vouchsafed, or prove her
self migrate and worse than migrate had
arrived, and had there been no Will
Cassilis her path would have spread
broad and easy before her, but she loved
him, and all was said.
A young mans cool, penetrating, i'm
pertinent glance may sometimes prove
as fierce torch to woman's heart as
another's fervid devotion, and if you ask
why Hagar loved this very ordinary
young man l say that love has no rea-
son for his widest vagaries and e1-
cuses himself never.
why should not Mamie marry Ire
lawny?' whispered tho devil in Hagar's
ear. "He would worship her all his
life. There would be no shadow Of turn
ing in such love as his. And Will Cas-
silis free might with favoring opportu-
nifty cast his eyes at last Oh her and be-
hold that she was fair. -
They had come to rustic summer
house, and by n gesture Blake stopped
Hagar us she was following Mamie
across the threshold. Think OF her.
Influence her" he said in swift whis-
per as he pushed her toward dump OF
trees hard by, then entered the summer
house and sat down by Mamie, who
had forgotten her fears and was think
ing Of Willie.
"Where is Hagar?' she cried starting
up, but Trclawny drew her down beside
him, both her hands clasped III one OF
his.
my love, my little love-" he said in
his strong deep voice, his dark face one
fame of longing. Il want you. Icannot
live without you. Come to me, sweet
heart-wife" ~
Then strange thing happened.
Nannio's eyes grew soft and tender,
as though kindled by the fire of his, her
little face, with delicious look Of yield
ing, of intoxicated happiness, sank SLOW
ly toward his breast, but even as he
strained her in his arms, before his lips
could touch her, she had torn herself
from his embrace, and crying out
willie! Willie! Willie!' like one mad,
rushed from the place.