Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-19


d----d rot are you talking?" shuddered
Graice.
1.-THE colonel is, and as if he didn't
relish the sight. Small blame to him.
"It's q saying of my people, " said
Crow in his slow, solemn tone, "Whom
the eyes Of the dead call must rise and
follow"
"You oroaking''- hissed Graice,
leaping to his feet and rushing at the
Indian, but Rorke threw himself be-
tween them.
"Play wild fire when ye may, man,
but niver wild o tame tiger. Hush, now.
Go out this door and cool that crazy
head Of yers. Here come the ladies.
Instantly the excited group scattered,
the men resuming their work ns though
at no time thought Of crime or quarrel
had entered there, but Rorke's heart
was humping hard as he went to his sta
tion. First to enter were Captain Leale
and Mrs. Daunton, though the blithe
voices and CHEEKY laughter Of the others
could be heard without. Evidently there
was fun at Kitty's expense, and Leale
had seized the opportunity to draw
Helen to ono side They were talking
earnestly as they entered.
ut seems providential that Wills
first station should bring his mother
back to the old home. Here and now at
least she should be safe from all shock.
especially with your care to guard her,
Mrs. Daunton. She said to me only
yesterday: Helen came to me only
little over a year ago. but think have
needed her for years. She is dear to me,
almost as my own daughter.
"God bless her for those words, "said
Helen, deeply moved. Il came to her
as dependent, but she has taught me
a new definition Of motherhood.
Motherhood has its sorrowful mean
ing for Mrs. Farrar," said Leale grave
ly, his handsome dark eyes fixed upon
her face. HAS she never spoken to you
about Royle, her eldest son?'
"She has sometimes mentioned him."
said Helen, with great constraint but
she can hardly bear to speak of him,
and know the bitter sorrow he brought
to every one who loved him, but" she
added quickly, as though eager to
change the subject, how cozy and
warm and Christmasy it looks and
smells! shall have another new defini-
tion-whnt Christmas means. We learn
many definitions, do we not, as life goes
on. and sometimes fate is good to US and
lets us learn the happiest last. "
And you have learned sad ono Of
Chrstmas?'
II; A very sad one My own baby
died in my arms on Christmas eve. "
Lcale bent earnestly toward the sad,
sweet face, deep emotion in his own,
but ut the moment Ellis entered, follow
cd closely by Ormsby. She bowed in
evident constraint at sight Of the couple
already there and looked as though she
would gladly have turned about again.
After her came Will and Kitty and
other young people Of the post, all eager
and intent on inspecting the prepara-
tions being made, all full Of compli-
ments to Rorke for the success attending
his labors, all full of admiration OF the
portrait, which they grouped about and
admired, while Ellis hung her fathers
saber underneath. And then once again
the whole party, chatting mcrrily. went
drifting out into the crisp air and glo-
rious sunshine, leaving, glowering after
them from the doorway Of the little
loom that opened off the main hall, the
i'll favored, i'll liked soldier Graice.
Two minutes later, and no one could
explain how it started or what was its
exciting cause, with hardly spoken
word or premonitory symptom. two men
were clinched in furious struggle-one,
heavy, burly, powerful and gifted with
almost demoniac strength, had hurled
the other down. That other, 1.-the,
sinewy, pantherlike in every motion,
writhed from underneath his huge all
tagonist and had sprung to his feet,
while the first, more slowly, heaved
himself upward, and then. like mad.
dened bull, dashed at his foe.
Springing lightly to one side, Crow
Knife, for it was he, whipped from its
sheath glittering blade and poised 1T
high in air, and Graice, even in his
blind fury, saw and hesitated There
was rush of the workmen TO the spot,
but Captain Leale was first Of all. Clear
and cold and stern his voice was heard.
drop that knife! Drop that knife, l
sayp' and slowly, reluctantly, though
his eyes were blazing with hate and
rage, the Indian turned toward the man
he had learned to trust, to honor and to
obey, and the knife fell clattering to
the floor. Graice made lunge as
though to grab it, and Rorke's ready
foot tripped and felled him. Then.
with both hands, the Irishman grabbed
him by the collar and dragged him,
dazed and scowling. to his feet.
"There are ladies coming, sir, was
the warning of one of the men,
"Takc that man out and cool him
of" said Leale, still calmly, to the cor.
poral. "I'll hear the story later. Quiet
now, one and all, he added, as the
group dispersed. 1T is Mrs. Farrar.
They met at the very doorway, the
fair, radiant woman. closely followed
by her daughter, the dazed, hulking
soldier, led or rather driven forth by
Corporal Rorke, and instantly a change,
swift and fearsone, shot across the
sweet, pathetic face. One glance was
all, and then, pale as death, she totter-
ed feebly forward. Ellis sprang to her
side in sudden alarm. Mother, dear
est, what is wrong? How you tremble"
For moment she could not speak.
1T is folly; it is weakness!" she falter-
ed. "But that face-that dreadful facel
The look in those eyes-the awful gilt
ter that only liquor kindles. have not
seen that look since-oh, whenever l
4 I C<,.l MI biu mot hnH "