Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-08-27

AfRr tnc unmpncSS anu lOB CaIlle u
week of almost tropical heat, under
which the fields grew parchcd and dull
hued and the dust lay deep on the high
ways. The breeze, when it blew, was
from the land, but much of the time
there was calm, even more oppressive
than the heat-ladcn zephyrs. Against
such conditions the energies of but one
of us were proof. Mrs. Loring alone de-
fled the heat and glare and dust, going
on with her preparations for the fetc
with undminished energy, amid tn,
wondering comments of the rest to
whom all unnecessary eNertion had be.
come thing to be abhorred.
Goodness gracious! how she do keep
goin' so beats me-" Mrs. Weston confdcd
TO me one afternoon, when she had
sought the comparative GOODNESS the
office offered.
"Shc seems to thrive on high tcmpera-
turcs," said I. "She's n human sal.
amander."
"Well, let that be rs it may" said Mrs.
Weston, who was not to be entmpped
into definite statement on such
doubtful point. "she's marvel, must
say. 'Tain't like, now, as if she had to
work for livin'. But that's jcs' tl"
way the world seems to go. Them that
don't need gets; them that wants to
rest has to keep stirrin'. If twas her
niece was rushin' round, 'twould be all
natural, because she's got her livin' to
get sooner r later. If l was in her
place I'd be plannin' and savin' like
good fellow"
"Why should she?" I demanded.
Tier aunt must be at least well to Dc,
and she's nearer to her than anybody
else"
"Oh, come now, don't you know about
Mis- Lorings money!?
mo. Honestly, SO far as I know,
she is quite able to provide for her
niece. What do you mean?"
Mrs. Weston's face shone with the
JOY of telling a story new to her nearer.
"Oh, it come strnight to me-" said
she. mis- Loring told Mis- Clark, and
got it right from her. Mis- Loring's
husband left her jes' interest in his
estate, and when she dies it all goes
back to his folks. She gets the interest
every year, but she can't touch the prin-
cipal. So Miss Gray can't get any thing
from her, though, of course, she pays
her bills now"
perhaps Miss Gray has an income Of
her own" suggested.
"Mis' Loring says not. Her pa was
kinder shif'less, and didn't leave
her nothing. Mis- Loring's taken care
Of her ever since she was little girl"
l sat deep in thought long after Mrs
Weston had gone back to her household
duties. Did her news please me? So
far as the girl was concerned, was
heartily sorry to learn that her pros
poets were SO uncertain; so far as the
tidings affected me, l rejoiced. l was
free to press my suit, to ask her hand
undeterrcd by the dread of a msconcep-
ton of my motives. At least one of the
obstacles had been removed from my
path.
When meditation had become a
wcariness-and when one is in love it
requires a vast amount of brain-rach-
ing to produce this RESULT picked up
my hat and left the house, greatly in
nuenced by the hope that Miss Gray
might be tenanting some shaded nook
in the ncighborhood. Somewhat to my
surprise, she was walking slowly down
the road.
Were going boating" she explained,
when l overlook her. ut is SO oppres-
sively hot on shore that both aunt and
I decided that it could be no worse OH
the water. Then, too, there is a chance
that we may find some breeze stirring
on the bay. Will you not join us?"
with pleasure" said l. "But how
does Mrs. Loring contrive to spare the
time? She is supposed to be busy
day and night with the arrangements
for the fete, you know"
so she is" said the girl, with
smile, but when proposed that she
should take a vacation for few hours
she saw the wisdom of the idea. She
will follow lis to the boat in few min
utes. Really, I think it was the allure
ment of little trip on the water which
won her over to leaving her designs
and programmes. She is devoted to
boating; you know; it is surprising that
she has resisted the temptation so often
lately. She has been out with me hard
ly half dozen times; and Mr.. johnson
has had but one pupil at his sailing les-
sons"