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

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found himself. There was this excuse
for him-Miss Winfold talked we'll aft
er a chirpy, gossipy fashion. wholly FREQ
of malice. Then, too, che had warm
words of praise for Rob. the bravest,
proudest little thingl II only she might,
she would SO gladly help and comfort
her. "But you kAow 1t isn't easy" sho
confded to Jack. The McGregors are
such high, proud people. Mommer does
not like Rob. But I-oh, think there
IL nobody like her. She is 10 nice to me
always I know she cannot mean any
harm by the things she says that sound
so rude an
"Truthful," Jack supplemented as
the other paused. "You are right. She
does moan no harm. She has grown up
at her fathers elbow. She has his ideas
in everything, especially in honor. 1t Is
pitiful to SEQ what weight she carries.
There must be change soon, and-and
when it comes can I count on your
standing her friend, no matter what 1t
may be?"
"Of course you can," Miss Winfold
echoed, then shifted the talk SO bright
ly and skillfully that in little while
Jack had taken tho further plunge OF
asking II he might hope to take her to
church upon the morrow.
How wish could say yes right
off," Miss Winfold returned airily.
"Dut, oh, l daren't, not without askin
mommer. She's let us fix to go, but we
won't know until night whether or no
there is preachin at her church. If there
is, may have to go there. You know
what Baptist she is an how strict they
are. Maybe you'll be glad if l do have
to 20. half believe you have asked me
just because you were sorry, not that
you reilly want me-
"What nonsense!'' Jack said. "Of
course am sorry for myself, to think !
have go few chances of taking you about
and making you behave for whole
day"
As he said it he leaned thought to.
ward her, lazy laugh in his eyes. Miss
Winfold answered it with smile that
showed all her pretty teeth. She had
hardly ever looked so we'll az at that
precise minute. AS Jack face came yet
closer she gave him dainty FLIP across
the cheek, saying lightly: "Ah ha MIR.
Impertinence! You are the one that
needs to be kept in order"
''Think sol' Jack retorted, kissing
her outright. She drew away with q
feint Of pouting, but to tho most casual
eye it was plain she was not displeased
and that he, albeit far from shy youth,
was far and away tho more embarrassed
Of the two. He sent the horses along at
q mad rate, keeping silence till the
town spires came in sight. Then he said
humbly: Miss Alice, I-I-oh, hang
1t all, I'm cad, an idiot, but-but
please forgive me. I'm not quite myself
today"
"Why. Jack, what can you DO talkin
about?" Miss Winfold returned, her
eyes full of large, innocent wonder
Though Jack had a wrctched day Of
it, cooling his heels about town while
no waited Miss Winfold's pleasure,
there was no trace of it in his face when
he sat at the Winfold supper table, chat
ting with the family He was just,
clean minded fellow, chivalric almost
to the degree of quixotry. The Win
folds, he had reflected, were blameless
in the arrangement of his plans They
had known nothing Of them. They could
not suspect under what duress he was
held. Besides twas part of the amends
owed the dear nanny to do her bidding
joyously, as though it was no task. 1t
made his heart sink to know he could
not possibly sec Rob alone for another
whole day. All the same, when he got
up to leave, he reminded Miss Winfold
that she had not told him about the
morrow.
"Mommer must tell you, Miss Win
fold said, blushing, but too family to
be unbeooming.
Jack shook his head. II hate to say
it," he protested, "but believe you are
trying to get rid Of me 80 you can go
with some other fellow.
Jest listen at him!" Mrs. Winfold
said, with q smile that showed all her
yellow teeth. ut makes me laugh,
Jack. The ideari As ef wouldn't an
Alice wouldn't be jest too glad ter have
her go with you wherever she goes at
all. Though thar's preachin at our
church. she may go with you ter the
Methods meetin an thanky inter the
bargain. Not that I don't believe the
Baptis' doctring jest as strong as ever,
but other secs have got religien-yes,
real religion. Your mother, now, is
Methodis', m thar amt no better wom-
Oh nowhere''-
"Thank you, ma am, there is not, -
Jack said, with bow. $50 may call
it settled that you go with mo, Miss
Alice. Be sure you don't play me false.
And now good night all. y
A very little later he was driving
home. not furiously, but with slack
reins his head bare to the soft, cool
night. Somehow it reminded him OF
Rob's hand-so light, so vital, so full
of thrilling rest. He loved her-ah,
how he loved heri If Alice Winfold
would but stand friend to them, he
might hope to bring his mother around.
That meant very much. Rob, he knew
well, would never enter his family, any
mans family, that did not give her cor
dial welcome. 1t was that most likely
that had lain back Of her repulse OF
him. 1t was hard, but some way-so
blind is young love-her obstinate pride
seemed to him the finest heroism. 1t
was love or nothing with her. No buff
feting Of fate would ever be hard enough
to make her take rich husband or one
in any way not to her mind.
Topmarkl The thought of him was
ridiculous proclamation. At the most he
could only fuintly annoy and harass Rob