Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-02-20

t.~.oJ the little vii
lage Of Bally-
glen, which nestles among the hills, In
beautiful valley in the western part OF
Ireland, and as the story which l am
going to relate happened there, We will
ask the reader to accompany US across
the three thousand miles of water that
intervenes,
Through the center Of this village a
beautiful river wound its serpentine
course, the banks of which on either eide
were interpreted by numerous pictur-
esque mansions, the property Of several
rich gentlemen who were masters Of all
the land over which the eye roamed.
As our story relates to one CT those
mansions, or at least the inmates of one
Of them, we will con6ne ourselves to it
and not mind the rest.
Godfry Blake was very wealthy man
his gold could be measured by the
bushel and yet. with all his wealth, he
possessed none of the arrogance or
worldly pride that some men have when
favored by such good fortune.
He had a lovely daughter named
Molly-lovely in every sense ofthe word
beautiful blonde whose long, wavy
tresses of golden hair hung over her
finely nodded form, almost to the ground
and eyes blue as the summer sky of her
native home, and whose tender-hearted
goodness made her a favorite with rich
and poor for miles around.
Now. as may be supposed. there were
numerous admirers who looked with
loving eyes on the peerless girl, some Of
them sons of the richest men of the
province, but all to no purpose, for her
love was bestowed on one, though he
was far below her 10 worldly point oi
view. His name was Gerald O'Conner
the only son Of q widow, and on him she
bestowed all the love of her young
heart.
Now there was another young man in
the village who loved or professed te
love Molly Blake and tried every meant
available to b!acken the character Of
young O Conner.
On the evening when we FIRST intro
duce them to the reader. the pangs o.
jealousy had q great cause to arouse the
ire of his nature.
They we're seated side by side nndel
branches Of an elm tree. her pretty hand
was nestled on his shoulder as she lis
tened to his words Of love.
"Molly, I love you dearly, and il
would be the happiest day of my life
when could call you mine; but, darling
you know that l am poor and your ia
ther may object to my suit"
"Gerald, don't you know father better
than that? He is not the man to Offer
any opposition to my happiness wher
he knows that he whom love is worthy
of the best girl in Ireland"
"Bless you my darling, for youl
words have made me very happy"
VT is the truth which I have spoken
and as for your beng poor, why, haven
l got plenty for US bo,h!"
This was too much for the eavesdrop
per, he ground his teeth with rage anc
an oath escaped his lips yet be managed
to keep bis temper and waited to heal
more of their conversation.
For some time longer they remained
seated at their conversation and at las
as the shadows of approaching nigh
began to steal across the tree tops they
arose and separated, Molly going to.
wards the house while O'Conner wan
dered Ieisurely through the sweet scent
ed meadow towards the river bank.
No sooner had they parted than An
thony Bell, for such was the listener
name, arose from his place Of conceal
ment and shaking his fist at the retreat
ing form Of his successful rival, hissee
through his clenohed teeth:
"Curse you, you ]ow-lived upstart
But will blacken you in her sight; ay'
even if I have to stain my hands in bloot
to do so."
As he ceased to speak he stuffed hi
hands in his trowsers pocket and strod'
6ercely from the place.