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

carriages and doscart, and only a cou-
pie of pairs of horses rested in the one
corner of the vast place that had not
fallen into utter decay.
1t was Il melancholy sight and sad
dened Hagar as she gaZed abroad, for
though man must and does die it is rare
for the careful work of his brains and
fortune to como TO such evil plight as
this, and, as now, possibly rot through
his own, but the faults Of his descend
ants.
And yet an echo Of the lie of the
life that goes on forever was even now
on its way to this ruined spot, as Nan
ME and viii, who had lecn up botimes
and who wore an air at once guilty and
triumphant, came stumbling over the
uneven stones of the courtyard from
direction contrary to the house, and at
sight of HaGar turning into the riding
school stopped short and consulted
LET Us tell her first said Will
"Shc was awfully kind and sweet last
night. Sho'll be delighted"
Mamie was hy no means so sure, as
Will Just certifying himself with hing,
led her over the dusty threshold and to-
ward Hagar, who, lost in thought, was
standing at some distance, a bit of vivid
life glowing in the midst of dust
Turning, she saw thcm-saw some
thing else, too, a change i'll their faces
as they drew near, not knowing that
her own frightened them with its ex-
preston so much that Mamie could not
get out a word, but timidly held up her
hand, upon the third finger of which
shone a plain gold ring.
"You are married?' said Hagar in a
loud, hoarse voice. "It is not legal. An
undutiful daughter makes bad wife
Her voice rose to u shrek. She looked
wildly into the long dismal vista Of the
school as if listening for the sound Of
cheerful tongue and galloping hoof.
Then she doubled suddenly up and lay
in heap among the shavings and old
iron and dust Of the floor.
Before they could touch her the door
way was dalkened by Blake Trclawny's
figure as he came in, touching his hat
ironically to Will Cassilis as he did so.
Il am the bearer Of a message from
your aunt he began, addressing Nam
ME, his glance sweeping i'll some sur
prise over Hagar to rivet itself as if
by instinct on Nannie's hand, still I'M
consciously held out
With one stride he was by her side,
and pointing to it in voice shaking
with rage and anguish cried, what
FOOLS play is this, Nannie:'
Will drew the little hand through his
arm and said quietly:
Lady Anna Cassilis, if you please
not Mamie
For a moment it looked as if Blake
were about 10 follow Hagar's example
or have it, Then he lifted both clinch-
ed hands high above his head.
"By God" he cried furiously, "you
stole her; she was turning toward me-
she was wearying of your milksop Ca
resses-a few days, hours even, and she
would have come to my lure-and l say
curse you, curse you, curse you, Cassi-
lis!"
"Take your punishment like a man."
said Will roughly. "We could not both
win her. Before God, if she had chosen
you I'd have made shift to bear it with
out disgracing myself before her eyes
as You are doing at this moment"
"Disgrace!" said Blake Trolawny in
q tone Of such profound despair as might
make his worst enemy pity him. What
is disgrace to me? You va stolen from
me the only thing on earth ever want
ed-that will keep up an internal want
in my breast till die. But LOOK You
You got her by foul means, not fair
seq that you don't lose her in the same
way. Spoil i'll gotten is risky and dan