Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-11

mark said, his face clearing. "Stop cry.
in, 1 say. We arc all in the same boat,
an pretty fools we'd Le not ter pull ter
gether!''
"That's what I've told mommer all
along" Miss Winfold said
Her mother whined, "Girls oughter
marry-I know that-but no man livin
is good enough fer Alice"
"Well, you mustn't blame her fer
thinkin different" Mr. Topnark said,
with q smirk. "Folks oughter suit
themselves about that. On, Alice, do
your best, my girl! III do the same.
Mayby thar lie two wetldins this fall
that'll mako all Walnut Greek open its
eyes an talk for the mex six months"
About the same time Jack Talbot sat
upon the piazza at Roscoe, outwardly a
pattern of dccorous attention to what
the Oldest Miss Payne was saying, but
only furious over finding Rob with a
houseful OF company. All the Paynes
had come home with her to spend the
night, and Ccrintha, the younger dauRh.
ter, was to stay through the next week.
The big meeting was sure to last so long,
and upon Monday young Brother Wal
ton, who was Cerintha's betrothed, was
coming from his own circuit to holp in
the good work.
He was looked upon as vessel OF cho-
sen grace. So revival was confidently
expected. Mrs. Payne, dear soul, could
talk of littlo else. In spite of her change
of residence she still held membership
ct Bethel The church had lost power
in the last half dozen years. In common
with all its more Jealous members she
was praying for season Of spiritual re-
freshiEg.
"If only the Lord will be with rs,
she said, swaying gently back and forth
in her rocking chair. "Ah, Brother Nc
Gregor, what would not give for one
hour more like that when your wife pro.
fessed Christ? She had mourned so long,
deeply aud in silence. She told me after
ward she felt she had committed the
unparlonablc sin in making an idol of
her firstborn, little Esta, you know, and
that maybe that was why God took the
little one''-
eyes, and the thought almost broke
her heart Mr.. McGregor broke in, his
face working. II feared she would lose
her mind over it, but God was merciful.
At last he took away her BURDEN "
"She was the clearest, happiest con-
vert | ever saw. Her face shone like
Moses when he came down from the
mountain Mrs Payne said, wiping
away an ccstatic tear. ''Old Bishop
Soule preached, remcmber-his text
was Come unto me, all ye that labor
and are heavy laden'-and as | listened
I thought il he had been preaching
straight ut your wife no could not have
como nearer her case. That was at morn
ing service That night it was young
Brother Rose, tho wonderful, poor fel.
low who died next year of yellow fever.
He had gone as a nurse, you know. l
sat with my heart in my ears. 1t did
seem to me God had specially sot his
servants to comfort my poor dear. When
they called mourncrs, it was heartbreak-
ing to see her. Her head was hanging
her face all white, but she got up and
went with the rest, and just had to go
and knecl by her and put my arms
around her. wanted to comfort her.
but not a word came. / knew afterward
it was Gods grace kept me dumb. Old
Sister Jackson prayed first. Oh. what a
prayer it was! And when we got up
from our knees my poor dear's face was
like the shining ones. but still she never
said word But I shouted-shoutcd
out loud-something l never did before
or since. And then she caught my hands
and said, just like little child, oh,
Betsy, Betsy, God has taken away my
sins!'"
II remeinter!" Mr.. McGrcgor said
huskily. II hope it is not irreverent F.;
but, Sister Payne, l can but foel that
when we meet in heaven it will be just
like that night. have rot long to wait
now. My only care, my dearest hope, is
that when meet her it will be in full
knowledge that our baby is coming after
me-"
"Roh's dear, good child. You need
not fret. She is her mother over again, y
Mrs Payne said, symrathotically pat
ting his thin hand. II did not think
she would be. She had all the McGreg-
or favor when she was little. But now
why, I'd know her for Helen's daugh-
ter among thousand. The main differ
ence is she is prettier There WAS no.
body in all the crowd today to think Of
setting beside her. / have got daughters
of my own, and they are not ugly girls,
but they can't compare with your girl
no more than the rest. Z"
Jack made Mrs. Payne his best bow.
The young folks had fallen silent, lis-
tcning to their elders. "You are the
wisest woman l know" he said "But,
Mrs Payne, please tell mo where Rob
has hidden herself. No, ! don't think
ever of saying Miss Rob. You see, I've
raised her partly. Sho belongs to mo, is
my littlo--sistcr, halting pcrceptbly
over the word, land have big scold-
ing for her She had no business setting
up rs a young lady full fiedgcd, with
beaus and all that, entirely without
my leave.'
"Oh, hadn't she?" Rob called from
the door back Of him. 'Well, Jack, the
scolding must wait. I am too happy
just now to quarrel, even with you. But
when am all by myself again, as blue
and miserable as a frost bitten rosebud
its only that way I'm ever like q
rosebud-why, then we will begin, and
l shall give you back scorn and railing
with interest. -
"But what shall we do tonight?"
Jack queried. with show Of intense
anxiety. Rob laughed lightly as she
said:
"Tonight? Oh, tonight you are to
have sumner with us. and an extra lump