Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-04
Rob MCGrcg0r

shoulder. Usually she slipped into the
first vacant pew. Today she was fiercely
amused in the thought Of making the
whole congregation cape and stare.
When at last she sat down, it was in
such wise as to leave room beside her
for her adorer. It was wholly against
the most rigid convention of the occasion
that any man should sit beside wom-
an, but Mr.. Topmark was unable to re.
sist the tacit invitation Of her glance.
BE pumped down upon the hard wood.
en- seat 80 ponderously that shiver ran
through the gazing throng From the
door Jack noted it and swore under his
breath. But Miss Winfield, though she
dropped her eyes and made pretense
Of distress over the general tittering
about her, said to her own heart: "Oh,
the little fooll Isn't she doin beauti.
fully just the thing meant her to DOR
Then she settled herself into pose Of
severe devotion, head bowed, eyes fast
on the hymnbook. Through the window
she had seen the Talbot carriage driving
up. She meant Mrs. Talbot to be able
to point with pride to the difference be-
tween her favorite and that Eighty Rob,
who sat. regardless of time and place,
pouring a food Of merry nonsense into
Mr.. Topmark's delighted ear. Miss
Winfold thought she must be possessed.
She had no comprehension Of the agony,
the gnawing pain at the heart. which
made it necessary that Rob should laugh
and chatter if she would save herself
from shrieking
Rob took no heed whatever Of Mrs.
Talbot's entrance, but when the tap tap
Of cane heralded her father she stepped
lightly down the aisle, met him at the
door, to which Jack Talbot had led him,
and took him to his accustomed place
in the pew next the pulpit. She sat
down by him there, regardless OF Mr.
Topmark's imploring looks, bis beckon-
ings and wildly significant grimaces.
She did not even shake her head, but
sat holding her father hand and now
and then patting it softly until the SER
mon began.
She had said to her father that morn
ing. in tho tsce Of her gallant: Daddy,
don't think care particularly to 60
with Mr.. Topmark. On the contrary,
I'm afraid the ride will turn out cost.
~ luxury when he comes to set price
on the tobacco this fall, but l do want
dreadfully to make lot Of other women
uncomfortable Widows and maids OF
all ages will be setting caps at him to.
day, and intend he shall not so much
as look at one Of them
"Now, amt she jest the beat Of ALL
brighter heap n new money! Mr..
Topmark had said in the fathers ear.
mo, Miss Rob, honor bright, the trip
shan't be with no mo- ter me n jest the
pleasyer OF it, that CANT valyer in
dollars an cents. But ef you'll help me
git the wife want when como ter
want her-why, give you my word the
ole gentleman here shall git twict the
price fer what grows in the place that
anybody else'll give. "
Now, just listenl' Rob had retorted.
Daddy, think Mr.. Topmark is afraid
Of the big, grown up young ladies and
is practioing his pretty speeches Oh Inc"
''No doubt, no doubt, her father had
answered, laughing mildly. Yet he was
troubled. He did not like his daughter
to be seen in such company, but to for.
bid it outright was piece OF rudenoss
he would not venture upon now that
the matter had got 80 far. OF course
there could be no more to 1t than
piece Of the ebullient folly normal to
the estate Of new widowerhood. Rob
was so young, so whimsically full Of
pranks, it had no doubt seemed to her
an excellent jest to go along with him.
Doubtless other women would, as she
said. pull caps for him now that he was
said to be rich and growing yearly rich
er, but Rob-the thought was absurd.
Only he must caution her against re-
peating her freak, though all her world
must see that it was only freak.
As the preacher rose to give out the
opening hymn Mr.. Topmark got up and
moved across to his proper masculine
sphere. He was the moral Of grinning
though sheepish delight. Jack Talbot,
coming in with the other men, felt a
raging desire to knock him down as they
two met in the aisle. Teddy Barton,
walking just behind Jack, gave out
stihed smoker and dropped into near
seat, whispering loudly to his next neigh.
Dor: Gee! Circus amt q patchin ter
this fun. Wouldn't take a. so cash
money fer the sight er Jack Talbot look
In cross eyed at ole Top an ole Top his
SET actin the lovyer. Richest thing In
Ia1a fnl ho1
Why, Miss Rob McGregor can make him
mind Jest like he was her little foe
dnwg Nice girl, she is. Always did
like her. Tween you an me an the gate
post could cut ole Top OUT
"You better hush. Eff you lie that
Away whar Jack kin hear er ole Topknot
either, it won't be good fer you," Ted
key. Ger fool an blind'd know. Ted,
Miss Rob never seen the day she'd chen
step on you, not ef you got down in the
path fer her ter walk on.
Such retorts merely made Teddy
smile He was 80 much the artist in his
lying the bare exercise Of his capacity
was joy enough, and he had not really
tUc ichbt III LHluu tOWdIu AsOu. AAo
thought indeed she looked distinctly
charming there, holding the old mans
hand and watching him solioitously
throughout the sermon. But Mrs. Win
fold, who had come late and fustered
to church, confded to her seat mate be-
fore the minister had come to csc gond-
y:" THAT girl is doin all that fer jest
nothin but effect, maxim out like she
keers 90 much fer her pore blind old fa-
Their. As for my part, 1 don't see how
er man as well behaved as Mr.. McGreg-
Or oap bring hisself ter profane tho