Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-01-02


and TO draw ON the scarlet wooden nit
tens, which she herself had knitted dur
ing those long. dreary winter evenings
when abe and her mother sat In silence
opposite each other, for Mrs. vane never
invited any company, and gave her
| neighhors but scant welcome when they
came Of their own accord.
Jenkins boy" was ready with the
boat, a small. ferret eyed youngster,
with an intensely freokled face and
furtive. sidewise glance, which Muriel
always distrusted; and as they glided
ont over the water, already dyed with
the orange reflection Of sunset, In the
direction Of White Reefs lighthouse,
Muriel leaned her chin In her hands
and thought Of Hr. Clifton.
What would her mother say if she
knew 1t all-that Paul Clifton loved her
+ that he was coming to ask for her at
the maternal hands the very next day.
1T will be Of no use, she thought
sadly. "Mother will say no She de-
sires me to marry Squire Sedley, who
! is bald and deaf and twice my age, and
who only wants me because his house.
keeper has struck for higher wages and
he thinks q wife would be better econo-
my. But we can wait. Paul and I. We
will watt
And then they ran up alongside the
tall. spectral cylinder Of the lighthouse,
for the tide was high and landing was
comparatively easy, and Muriel sprang
lightly ont Of the boat. looking up at
the fiery eye in the lantern above.
"Give me the bag and the basket,
Tommy" said ahe. STEADY with the
boat now! I'll be back in one minute "
30 the orange glow had burned down
into deep red radiance, and the dusk
shadows off the New Years eve were
creeping over all the CLASSY surface Of
the sea.
Aunt Dora was at home. In fact,
Aunt Dora never was anywhere else.
Her own society, little as other people
cared for it. was all sufficient for her
self.
"Oh, it's you, is it7' said Aunt Dora.
as unconcerned as ii she lived on dry
land and was in the habit Of seeing
company every hcur in the day. She
was darning stockings by her own espe-
cial little lamp, and the teapot already
s4mmered On t1a5 u hob for her tea. ANY
thing the matter, Because I couldn't
leave the light II 1t was ever so'-
"No, nothing Is the matter" said
Muriel II have brought you note
from my mother. Something about the
pattern Of q bedquilt, believe. And
some chickens and apples and bag Of
fresh hickory nuts. "
Aunt Dora read the note once, twice,
three times over. Then she regarded
Muriel III q sinister fashion from under
her thick, black brows while the girl
played unconsciously with the cat.
"Humphr' said she. "Yes. III go
and get the pattern"
She was gone some time-haR an
hour, at least, as it seemed to Muriel,
and when che came back, the girl start
ed up.
1T Is nearly dark" she said. II
must make haste home.
"Well you needn't be in such fur
ry" said Aunt Dora. with grim
chuokle. "I've sent the pattern by Tom
my Jenkins He's half way to shore by
this time.
Muriel uttered little shrek.
"And how am to get home?" she
cried.
"You amt to get home at all, y said
Aunt Dora lyon re to stay and spend
the New Year with me. That's what
your mother said in her note"
But shall notr' exclaimed Muriel,
stamping her foot vehemently. II must
20 homel Iexpect company tomorrow.
"Sit down and be easy-do" said
Aunt Dora. "Must is for the king. I'd
like to know how on earth you re to get
home, with only one boat at tho steps,
and that padlocked tight. with the key
snug at the bottom Of my pocketP'
And Aunt Dora laughed hard, dis
sonant laugh that was like the croak Of
raven.
For q moment Muriel gazed wildly
around like newly Gagged bird, then
she burst into tears and sobs.
ut Is all a stratagem Of mother
she cried, wringing her hands Il
might have known It! I might have
known it'
And that night At the White Reefs
lighthouse, with the melancholy sea
tapping the foot Of the tower and the
wind whistling around the steady glow
Of the beacon, was the dreariest that
Muriel ever spent in her life.
"You amt good company tonight, "
said Aunt Dora, glancing at her niece
ever and anon between the stitches OF
her darning.
Because you have deceived mel"
cried Muriel. "You and motherr'
"Humphr' said Aunt Dora. Its all
for your own good. You'll thank us one
Of these days. Girls oughtn't to have
their own way"
But Muriel only wept ON and refused
to be comforted.
She went down to the foot OF the
tower, the next day, and sat there, her
cloak wrapped about her shoulders, list
lessly gazing out on the sparkling floor
Of the deep.
lis that boat comingl" she asked
herself. with one man IN it, Is 1t
coming here, wonder?"
Nearer and nearer came the boat,
rocking lightly on the surface Of the
waves, and presently Muriel started up,
with a cry Of Joy.
For It was Paul Clifton waving his
hand to her. as he came ever nearer and
nearer.
"A happy New Year, sweet Muriell"
he called out, as the boat touched the
stone steps. II am the enchanted knight
como to rescue you from the prison tow.
eri"