Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-15

SOIC0ueO HSQC COlueS CHIOu3H Vuo CO1-
tanned windows on either side Of the
street; carriages rumble up and down
over the uneven pavement, ever and
anon pausing to set down their occu-
pants ut !. carpeted doorway. At Thirty
sixth street Harry pauses again, and be-
fore his mind rises the picture of the
young Olympia, a figure of youth, health
and arch intelligence, who is even now,
perhaps, thinking of him, only a few
doors away. Shall he 60 in and pass the
evening there? He nearly yields to the
suggestion, and takes step or two in
that direction. But no! he had promised
himself something different; he will see
Olympia tomorrow. He turns again and
resumes his walk. Yet Olympia was
really thinking of him at that moment,
and tomorrow-well. Tomorrow some
times means never.
No such reflection disturbs Harry
Trent. The exercise has warmed his
blood, and his heart is light. The con-
slant success of his life has had its effect
upon him. He does not believe that mis-
fortune can overtake him. Mortal man
seldom or never lives to Harry's age
without having done something that he
ought not to have done. Yet he has done
much good in the world. His reputation
among his fellows is untarnished. II he
have enemies they have not declared
themselves. But has he an enemy2 At
any rate, he fears none. Like other fort
unate men, he has faith in his star; like
them, too, he forgets the legend of Cr@-
SuS.
By this time he has passed beyond the
most thickly settled portion of fashiona-
BILE New York; the rumble of carriages
is less frequent, and there are gaps be-
tween the houses. Foot passengers are
few. His steady footsteps are echoed
distinctly from the frozen pavement.
His shadow only attends him as he
walks, now lengthening behind, now
slipping beneath his feet and starting
out ahead of him. Darker shadows
gather in the side streets. AS he reaches
the park something seems to detach it.
self from the duskiness on the left and
move forward to where broken board
ing bespread with gaudy placard an
nouncing the appearance OF favorite
actress in the tragic drama Of "Leah"
provides a convenient screen. Harry
Trent passes steadily on and the shadow
follows him.
And now, at length, the goal of the
little journey is in sight. There stands
the new house, solid and shapely on its
strong foundations, built to last and to
be the abode of prosperity and happi-
ness. As Harry Trent approaches it he
slackens his pace, and proud glow OF
proprietorship expands his breast. BE
sees, as in swift vision, the perspective
of the years to come. Within these four
walls is to begin the long succession of
happy posterity. Rich, powerful and
peaceful, they shall take their place US
the best type of the foremost nation of
the earth. The women shall be beauti-
full and bountiful, the men eminent and
honorable, friends of the great and great
themselves The house of Trent! 1t
stands dark and empty now, but the
hour is at hand when its windows shall
be illuminated and its doors opened, and
all the city come to do it homage.
There is pleasure for an imaginative
mind in doing privately and, as it were,
by stealth things that ordinary persons
would make no secret about. Harry
Trent, in spite of his proved and prac-
tical business sagacity, has a lively imag-
nation; and, as the miser steals off to
count his money, or the lover to serenade
his lady love, so had Harry become in
fatuated with the idea of spending an
unsuspected night in his new house. He
would not share with any other that vir-
gin experience, and it would be agreeable
in after years, amid the stir and voices
of an overhowing family and social life,
to look back upon this first night Of soil
tude and meditation.
With an inward smile of satisfaction,
accordingly, Harry Trent ascends the
steps and puts his key into the lock. The
door yields before him and swings on
noiseless hinges, but as he closes it the
hollow sound resounds through the dark
ness. Hereupon, presently, steps are
heard in tho distance, and light ap-
pears, carried in the hand of the faithful
caretaker, who, with his wife, maintains
guard in the basement. Strictly speak
ing, of course, Harry will not pass the
night alone, nor, perhaps, can man OF
his business and social importance ever
hope to escape entirely from the knowl-
edge and supervision of his fellows. 1t
was possible that several persons might
know of or suspect his present where
abouts. But, on the other hand, care
takers can hardly be said to count as oc-
cupants, and if man believes his move
ments to be untraced, he is just as con-
tent, for the time being, as though they
really were 80.
you're not doing at your post l see,
sergeant" says Harry, for the man was
a veteran of the war. "How is Mrs.
SIMPSON,
"In good health, sir, and thank 'ee; we
wasn't looking for you SO late"
"The fact is, sergeant, I've come to
spend the night Is the bed readyT
"It is, sir, and good fire in the
CRATE"
"That's right! want to find out, You
see, what sort Of dreams the new house
will give me-"
"May they be good ones, sir; you'll
come honestly by 'em. If any one calls
will l let 'em in?"
"Well, visitors are not likely to be fire.
quent this evening. This is something in
the way of scout reconnaissance, you
understand. However, if any one does
come it will be on particular business, l
should suppose; 80 they may come up"
every good, sir. You'll not be turning
in quite yet, sir:"
"No, not for two or three hours, prob
ably. Good night"
"Good night, sir, and pleasant awak-
opipvP,