Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-12

to me again after It was wrecked and
ruined by their own flesh and blood. l
meant-God forgive me-when first ]
came to them, lonely, destitute, that
some time they should know, but from
the first l grew to love her; from the
day OF my reception under her roof my
heart went out to her as It has done to
NO other woman since my own blessed
mother died, long years ago, and then,
then learned Of her precarious health
and 1 temporized and now love her as
I love no other being on earth, and,
moving that she never heard OF her
sons ma.riage-for she has talked Of
him occasionally to mel determined
never to tell her Of that or Of the little
one murdered by his brutality. have
hid it all-all. I hid from you, for you
alone knew me under the name she
bears and loves and honors. Oh, Mr.,
Ormsby, you were kindness, helpfulness
itself to me in those bitter days. Can
you not see how impossible it is for me
to tell her now? Can you not help me to
keep the hateful TRUTH See. she has
been gaining here day after day. Don't
let her know-don't make me tell her
perhaps kill her with the telling
that Am Royle Farrar's wife. -
"Hush'' he whispered, for in her ex-
citement her voice was rising, and he.
listening nervousiy for football that
he knew and loved and thrilled at the
sound of, heard Ellis pass rapidly along
the narrow hall above, as though IN an
swer to her mothers call "Hush!" he
repeated. II must think Of this Tell
me, has Miss Farrar at any time, in
anyway, seen that you have known me
before?"
"She has, Mr.. Ormsby, and I, with
all the deep, deep gratitude I feel to.
ward you, l have been unable to tell her
the truth and explain what cannot but
know has made her suspicious OF me,
has hurt you in her estimation. On,
what shall I do, what shall I do3" she
cried, wringing her white hands In grief
unutterable. keep my secret, / i'm
plore you. just "a hours, until this sa.
cred anniversary so fatal to. SO dreaded
by her, has passed away. Let no shock
ccme to her at Christmas. Then, II need
be-
Hush" he again warned, for Ellis
was almost at the doorway. II must
sec you tomorrow. Until them And
then, though the sweat was standing on
his forehead, he turned, with such COM
posure as he could assume, with yearn-
ing and tenderness beaming in his
frank, handsome face. to meet the proud
girl whom he loved and in whose avert
ed eyes he seemed to read his sentence.
Never entering the room, but, hating
short at the doorway. she gave one quick
glance at the woman who, turning her
back upon them, first seemingly busted
herself at the curtains and then moved
on into the dining room, which opened,
army fashion, from the little parlor,
and then was lost to sight.
Mother desired me to hand you this,
Mr.. Ormsby," was all that Ellis said,
and then coldly turned away.
"Ellis!" he cried in low, eager.
sorrowing tone, as he sprang after her.
"Ellis, Ellis"
But instantly, with uplifted hand,
she turned, first as though to confront
and warn him back, then as though
commanding silence. Hush, listen"
she said "What is that?'
Something like an inarticulate, STU
fed, moaning cry came from the direc.
ton Of the dining room. and, rushing
thither, swiftly, noiselessly as he could,
Ormsby was just In time to gee Helen
Daunton Keeling back from tho window
and staggering toward the sofa.