Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-10-01

marry ell, salu Lauy AHIIlpeI
concisely. "Put an end to 'em like any
other nuisance. Oh, here they arel
H'm-h m! You re no beauty, my dear,
but you We got some nice dimples and
sweet little way Of your own, and,
after all, that's what fetches a man
most. How are you, Cassilis? You were
dirty little boy when saw you last,
and you re clean big one now, and not
80 picturesque. think I'll 80 up and
rest before dinner. " And with parting
stare at Hagar, who clearly interested
her much more than her niece, the old
lady graciously accepted Wills arm and
whisked her French skirts out Of the
room.
"Is Trelawny coming to dinner" she
paused to say at the door. "If not to-
night, ask him for tomorrow. can't
get on without my Trelawny.'
Father" said Mamie when her
aunt had gone and it struck him how
all the radiant happiness had been sud
denly wiped out Of her face as with a
sponge, "Will does not like Trelawny.
l fear they may quarrel. Is it necessary
to ask him.
The father looked grave.
"You know what your aunt is, he
said. Amusement she will have at any
price, and be is our neighbor. and an
old friend of hers, and / know Of no
reason why l should forbid him the
house.
He looked keenly at her, hoping that
she would speak but she did not. Ha-
gar had moved away out of earshot
"She will invite him here contln-
ued Lord StraubenZee, ''and l shall be
forced to second the invitation. Will 1t
not be better, rs you must inevitably
meet him after your marriage, for both
Cassiis and yourself to keep an outward
appearance Of friendliness! Believe me,
it is far less trouble, in the long run, to
observe the laws of distant politeness
than quarrel with any person, the more
especially neighbor.
Mamie was silencod, for she dared
not tell her father the truth, and just
then Will cane in laughing and drow
her hand through his arm.
"Iwas saying, remarked Lord Strau-
bcnzce, cordially dctesting his task,
"that it is not desirable there should be
any open GOODNESS between you young
people and Blake Trclawny. There was
no acknow ledged engagement between
you and Mamie until yesterday"-
There is now" interpolated Will,
kissing the hand Oh which great clus-
ter of diamonds and sapphires sparkled.
And he was free, like any other man,
to try to win Mamie, but now that
he has failed he is man enough to ac-
uuieSce in the inevitable, and no good
purpose can be served by excluding him
frCm this house He is invited to the
ball. He came in to see me about magls-
tratcs business today; to ask him to
dinner is perfectly natural and i'll my
opinion unavoidable.
lyon will not quarrel with him,
Willie:' cried Mamie suddenly.
"Of course not. don't like the beg
gar, never did. We punched each 9th
ers heads ever since we could use our
fists, and as he is five years older than
am | always got tho worst Of it. But
I've got tie best of it now" He and
Mamie melted, as it We're, out of sight,
and Lord Straubenzee smiled and went
over to Hagar.
"You must not mind my sister, he
said. "She is very eccentric. She Will
put you through an exhaustive cate
chism after dinner and then probably
ask you to go and stay with her, as a
new sensation.
"And shall l go?' she said rather
drearily 1.-THE school is a certainty,
and she might tire of me in a week. y
Il wish could see you happily mar
ricd, my child, said Lord Straubenzee
very kindly 1T is the only happy and
inevitable fate for a beautiful young
woman like you. And what do you
wear at the ball Wednesday," he added
in lighter tone. II hope Mamie has
done you justice; she promised me that
she would.
Hagar's eyes lit up. There is not a
woman alive who can contemplate her
first ball gown unmoved.
at is white gauze,' she said, lover
white satin. 1t has no bows or flowers,
only some big clasps of pearls Mamie
set her heart OH my wearing, and l
thank you, sir, thousand times over
for your gift. "
He put out his hand dcprecatingly.
II have ordered your bouquets he
said; yellow orchids for you, white
roses for Mamie, with only their natu-
raj foliage What shall we get for Lady
Lirriper?' he added, smiling "You
must make friends with her maid and
End out one of the many colors of her
gown. "
But she was not needing him. With
her head little bent, the long sweep
of her glorious hair from brow to the
nape of her neck shining like copper III
the light she was watching Mamie and
Will, as, finding the whole world in one
another and walking crooked in their
Joy, they wandered under the trees
hand in band together.
CHAPTER XIV.
"Blake, said Lady Lirriper, you're
fool You are turning your back on
princess to banker after nice little
maid whose place is the schoolroom,
and you used to be the best judge OF
women know.
"Such mi armful,' said Trelawny
roor.oio,clr tsopd I'm pf ira ,ri in fy,rp