Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-29
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remember, ana we uSeu 10 get min up
to the armory or to our camp occasion
ally
"And he was very, very kind to my
poor boy. my Royle," said Mrs. Farrar
wistfully. searching the face of her
guest "and when you came to US with
letters from our old friend, for we had
known him before our marriage" she
continued, q faint color rising to her
cheek, lit seemed almost like welcom-
ing him. There was nothing too good
for Major Fenton that our home afford.
ed after all he tried to do, at least for
him." The sigh with which she spoke
seemed to we'll up from the depths Of
footsteps, had left the room to greet her
father ON the piazza without, and for
the first time since his coming, three
days previous, just in time to be hem
med in and held at Frayne by the great
snowfall, Mrs. Farrar was alone with
her guest. 'There is something l have
longed to ask you, Mr.. Ormsby," she
went on, something l must ask you,
for mothers intuition is keen, and
feel sure you have seen or known my
poor boy in the past Have you heard
do you know anything of him now?'
MRS. Farrar, give you my word I
have not the fajntest idea Of his where.
abouts.
Forgive me if I am intrusive. i'm.
Fortunate, SHE persisted. "But-Major
Fenton-he was Major Fenton then,
you know, and think Of him with the
title he bore when he was 80 good--so
friendly-when my unhappy boy most
needed friends. You were with your
uncle often then. Did you not meet
did you not know my Royley'
Ormsby's honest eyes betrayed the
labored. and she, watching every sign
with painful intensity, read the truth,
despite his faltering reply.
"Once or twice, Mrs. Farrar, but
knew him only very slightly"
TELL me still more, Mr.. Ormsby.
You have been most considerable to me.
You have sought to spare me, but in
my husbands sad face aud distracted
manner have read the truth. He has
heard news-worse news Of Royle-and
SO you have been the bearer. Is it not
so?''
But Ormsby pulled himself together.
this time OF least like man, and
braved her.
II assure you it is not 80. Mrs. Far
rar. From me at least the colonel has
heard nothing new-nothing worse. l
beg you to dismiss the thought.
But he did not say that he had come
prepared to tell, aye. instructed to tell,
of browning disgrace-come with the
written proposition Of his employers to
relinquish pursuit Of Royle Farrar pro-
vided the father would make good the
sum they had lost through the sons
forgery.
God bless you, Mr.. Ormsby, for the
load you have lifted from my heart"
she cried. Ever since you came have
dreaded more and more each day that
you We're the bearer Of evil tidings Of
him who has almost broken his fathers
heart and yet cannot, must not, shall
not be beyond redemption If q mothers
love and prayers are Of any avail Even
Ellis has seemed to share my dread.
have read it in her manner, as perhaps
you have too. She did not mean to be
unkind, inhospitable to our guest, but
that sorrow has overshadowed us all.
Even my bright, brave Will, who is do
ing all boy can do to redeem the name
at the Point-even Will, say, is some
times confronted by the record that his
erring brother left"
The tears were starting from her eyes
now, and in uncomfortable emotion she
turned away. Then came loud rap at
the front door, and servant hasteIed
to open it. A loud, CHEEKY Irish voice
resounded through the hallway All in
slant later. Corporal Rorke to report
to the colonel for dispatches, and,
glancing thither, Ormsby saw stout
trooper, with broad, jovial. ruddy face,
his burly form clad in winter service
dress. Mrs. Farrar, striving to hide and
to check her tears had turned into the
dining room. Ormsby stepped to the
north window and glanced out upon the
little group upon the porch. Ellis half
shiveringly clinging to her fathers arm,
nc lutcAVAJ cyiu6 AcaAo~AooA0s WAtA
leveled glasses, steadily at gaze at some
dim, black object far, far across tho
turbid Platte, far out to the eastward,
across those snowcapped slopes.
Can you make out what's coming,
Leale?'
II think SO, colonel"
"What is it?'
Leale slowly lowered the glass, and,
never turning, answered in low but posi-.
tive tone:
"Our marching orders-for the agen-
cy. Red Wolf escaped. Kill Eagles
whole village has jumped for the Bad
Lands"
And that meant that the Twelfth
must drop its Christmasing and fetch
the wanderers home.
fro BE Continued
ITO SlOp."
A friend of mine had retired to his room
somewhat carly at first rate hotel in
Manchester. lie had scarcely done so
when knock came at the door, and, open
Inc, II cliyhtly ba ipuuired w m xyaa there