Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-17
TAURMONT frederick County, Maryland Thursday September H. 1896


Mamie had got shock, but she was
far too loyal to her new friend to betray
her; only she felt as If she must run
back and see how it all ended, add her
own entreaties il need be, and by sheer
importantly prevail on that miserable
man to grant Hagar's request
"By Jove." said Will presently. look.
ing at his watch, "the carriage must be
round by now! And every one will
think, my poor little girl, that have
been bullying you frightfully."
"You will when e're married, I dare
sny," said Mamie, with wan smile,
az she loosened the gauze that went
round her hat and tied 1t over her face
for veil. "Oh, Willie, wish 1carried
a powder puff Just look at my nose"
Its o dear little nose," said Will
as they hurried along, land I bar pow
der puffs. Where's Miss Gregorias? I
found your father alone"
Mamie felt sick, but hurried on the
faster. Respite came in the discovery Of
Lord Straubenzee in conversation with
an acquaintance who was talking Of the
late murder at Chudleigh Salterton.
"A happy release" said Lord Strau-
benzee easily. Life was wasted on him.
He did not know how to enjoy it. I may
expect you, then, for the 1st7 Only half
a dozen guns. Ny preserves are nothing
to boast Of nowadays"
He spoke somewhat absently, for
something had occurred to interest him
very keenly. In the man who passed
them as they sat at tea he had instantly
recognized the presumed murderer OF
silas Gregorias, and probably the only
man alive in that neighborhood whom
the Frenchman had to fear.
And Miss Gregorias had disappeared.
She, too, had seen him, but would she
be as willing as himself to let the man
go free2
Here she isl" exclaimed Mamie In
long drawn gasp Of relief, and her fa-
ther looked searchingly at her, then at
Hagar, who came forward, calm indeed,
but on her face the signs Of great
storm. 1t was not 20 long ago that she
was as the potter's clay in the hand Of
the potter, whom will power for her sim
ply did not exist How, then, could she
be expected to exercise supreme self con-
troll on all occasions, above all upon
such one as this?
Lord StraubenZee saw everything, but
Will, wrapped up in Nannie's changed
little face, was deaf and blind to all but
herself during tho drive home. And yet
Mamie was conscious Of intense relief.
for she knew that Hagar must have
won. But, oh, what had che done that
she must beg and pray to man for
mercy like that, when girls were made
to be loved and men to be kind to them
and look up to them?"
And Will Cassilis was to take away
with him q eorer heart than any that
night. for after dinner Lord Straubenzee
spoke to him quietly but firmly and laid
down the only conditions under which
he would consent to future engagement
between the young fellow and Mamie
when you wish Mamie goodby on
Monday, Cassilis," he said, you will
have to make up your mind that it is
goodby for - whole months. v Then a.
Will started up with a passionate e1.
clamation the older man went on:
For your own sake and hers Up to
now you have not travelled, in The wide
sense Of the term. You know little OF
the world save from the point Of view
Of a country gentleman, and you have
had few opportunities Of testing your
own heart md, pardon my adding, few
temptations to prefer any one to my lit
tie girl"
GIVE seen crowds Of pretty girls"
burst out Will hotly. Isn't Devonshire
crammed with them? There will be
nothing better to tempt me abroad, and
you are cruel, sir-cruel to thus break
mine and Nannie's heart" he added,
broken down by the thought Of Nannie's
grief that afternoon. But what would
she say to this eternity Of parting7
"They will not break" said Lord
Straubenzee, smiling, "or, il they will
not stand SO much trial, they are quite
untitled to bear the strain Of wedlock. "
"And Blake Trelawny," cried Will;
fuming up and down the little room and
towering above the rose shaded table
with it's fruit and flowers at which
Lord Straubenzee sat, che is to have
bis chance, while am packed of out
Of the way. Upon my word, sir, he
owes you his best thanks.
Let him have his chance by all
MEANS" said Wills prospective fether-
law, peeling a pear, "better before
than after her marriage to you II her
fancy that way inclines. II the love Of
both Of you survive a year Of absence.
! have nothing whatever to urge against
an engagement and speedy marriage.
propose that you leave Cassilis castle
shortly before Mamie returns home for
the Christmas holidays. and that you
reurn thither this day twelvemonth, in
good time for the lst," he added, with
q smile Of some humor.
But Will was not in the mood to efS-
joy humor, he was profoundly wretched
and thoroughly upset He mentally call
ed Nannie's father all the mules and
blookheads with which young people in
variably pelt their elders when the
former try to teach them sense, and his
jealousy was on fire at the thought that
Blake Trelawny would have innumer-
able opportunities Of improving the
shining hour in his (Will's) enforced
absence.
If you ruin both our lives by this
piece Of cruelty, don't forget warned
you, SIR" he said savagely, and unable
to contain himself further rushed away
to look for Mamie, his dear, pale little
sweetheart, and tell her of this awful
bolt suddenly shot from the blue.
And Lord Straubenzee in time to come
did remember that warning and cursed