Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-18

his thought ran: 'CusS the Old wien!
Yes, she knows. It's kill or be killed..
I'm er merciful man all just, but-but
any man has got ter stand up fer his
own SELF.
Thursday afterward Mrs. Winfold
gave a quilting. which it was under
stood would lead up to a mild evening
party. That was the ending Of all quilt
ings there since Miss Alice came to
womanhood. But, strange to relate.
Teddy Barton was not to come with tho
other young fellows to the merrymak-
ing. Mr.. Topmark had said flat he
paid '"reddy fer doin other things than
gallivantin round like er gentleman of
leisure l am tired er keepin er dog
an then doin his barkin." Teddy had
got to stay at the store that night,
if no other. Stranger still, Teddy was
jubilantly clipper, though he mado
open and loud lamentation over old
Tops sudden meanness. He did not
mean to NOPE. That was one thing Ger.
tain. "I'll git er lot er fcllors all by
my lonesome an have fun as is fun"
Rob, of course, was asked to both tho
quilting and the party. Miss Winfold
wrote honeyed note in her very best
sloping hand. Mrs. Winfield said in
the bosom Of her family: 81 jest ached
ter leave that littlc limb out, but it
wouldn't do--no never in the world.
Brother would be so mad. He is tho
biggest fool about that girl; said ho
couldn't even tell the time Of day Gf io
wasn't lookin up toward Roscoe. May
by, though, she'll have sense enough not
to come. She said always she hated
quilts and quiltin. Of course she no
need ter work Ct como she does. though
really few stitches amt much ter pay
fer n mighty good dinner. y
Mrs. Winfold had social ambitions
like herself, small and narrow. They
began and ended indeed in the purpose
full desire to get the most and best of
6ll that was going for herself and her
own. 1t was utterly past her compre-
hension. the MoGregor delight in hospi-
tality for its own sake.
All Walnut Greek save Mrs. Talbot
cumo to tho quilting early and with
itching cars. Every woman Of them
knew so we'll Mrs. Winfold's knacl, Of
gossip there WAS distinct feeling that
it was "a mighty pity Mr. Topmark could
not te some one else's brother for this
day, if no longer. Still, leaving him
out Of account. there was tho matter Of
Jack Talbot and Rob McGregor. Most
unaccountably Luce Aliens talo had
got bruited about, with emendations
that made it we'll worth hearing. By
this tim 0 it was upon most hands agreed
that there had been great scene. Nam
Liza had denounced Jack to his face as
% triflcr, the old man had overheard and
had bidden tho young one either take
the girl or leave her for good and al
ways, and Jack, who had gone there
every day, did not go there any more.
Not unnaturaly the good womcn-they
were really very good-who SGT stitch
ing away at the latest Wineold triumph
in patchwork made up their minds as
the story was told i'll chorus that Jack
was innocent of anything beyond warm
friendlncss and Rob guilty Of deep and
desperate designs.
~ expect she counted OIL gittin Jack
through him hein so high toned. You
know all the Talbots arc awfully high
toned" Mrs BruzZlcton, mother of So
ply Ann, said to her next neighbor,
who nodded and said, measuring u
length Of thread:
eyes do expect So Shc's so bold,
that Rob. never liked her"
"She is, rs you may say, fighty, but
/ reckon she'll get husband, no matter
what is said about her." Mrs. Brazzle-
ton returned, with significant glance
in the direction Of Mrs. Winfold
just then Nina called from tho door:
"Hush talkiu, all of you. YoIder comes
Rob MoGregcr. y
The news was unwelcome. At least
two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt it
o distinct hardship, for with Rob visi-
bly, present they would be compelled to
discuss her aside. Everybody looked ut
her as she came within the door. Some
few faces were full Of kindly pity. With
out exception they We're those of moth
ers without daughters, either childless
or having only sons. One among them,
Mrs. Garter, who ranked socially with
Mrs Talbot, got up and kissed Rob on
either cheek, saying with little, wist.
full smile:
"Come aud sit here by me, honey. I
want somebody who is not too indus
trious for nciehbor.'
"Thauky, ma an, Aunty Garter, but
l can't. l ara here just to say that I
could not possibly come" Rob said
brightly, yet clinging to the friendly
hand. She was too finely strung not to
feel the bridliIg and drawing away that
had marked her entrance. 1t was not
the first time, eithor. So far, secure in
the strength Of innocence, she had whis-
tied down the wind such hostile demon
straton, only wondering duly if its oc-
casion was MIR. Topmark's inthrallment
and the merry athletic madness which
possessed him. She was used to know
ing people talked about her, but unused
to quite the faces that greeted her to.
day.
Yet it was sense of this hostile at
mosphere which had brought her thus
among them Il will beard the Win
folds in the face of all their world" she
had said nodding to her image in the
glass. I'm not coward, whatever
other sins may lie at my door. I'll go
and excuse myself, then back to the