Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-25
"Lemnc do that, Mtss Rob"

great was MS Joy, OUT somehow no HAL
uged to say: Get your shawl We will
go at once"
"Shawl! never thought Of ono this
dry, beautiful night III meet you at
the gate. Bring around the horses,
Rob said, slipping away over the mar.
row front porch and on down the gravel
walk that led to the front gate. There
were prim, spiny cedars at guard either
side Of 1t. White moonshine drew ell
houettes Of them upon the sparse turf
at foot. Lanterns feebly Pickering amid
the green boughs, III Miss Winfold's
judgment, gave the whole affair touch
and taug Of style. But Rob. the auda-
cious, set one light upon the ground and
said as she sprang up beside Jack:
II could not take a chance Of soaring
Timothy and Glover. The darlingsl
They must go so miles before morning" "
The company broke an hour later.
scenting thunder in the air, Lawyer
Howell pleaded that the night was 30
1ns be had rather walk the mile to Top
marks He had foxy sharpness that
had made plain to him some part Of
what was under the cards. Topmark
angry was, he knew experimentally, an
ugly customer. Let his wrath expend 1t.
self properly OH his own Aesh and blood,
not an innocent stranger seeking diver
sion and honest profit.
As the cato clicked behind him MrA
(~t Of
kill me fer 1t, must say 1t. Oh. do
promise me you won't let that despisa-
bic little wien mako mock Of you no
more, like she did ternight. l thought l
should die, did, seein the airs she put
on"
Ibid your" asked Mr.. Topmark. with
an ugly snarl. isis Sarah. lemme tell
you this is mighty bad time fer sniv.
elm ON backbitin. stand ter what
told you. l mean ter marry that girl in
spite er all the women in Christendom,
eben herself.
WHAT With folks talkin as they do?
An after the way she acted ternight no.
body CANT deny nothin that may be
said Of her an Jack Talbot Mrs.
Winfold began. but paused at sight Of
her brothers. ivid face. He drew hard
breath, then broke out:
"All they says Is lies, the damnedest
sort You know that-yes. as we'll as
do. The gal is er reg lar touch me not,
but she don't need tor be. The man
don't live that could try ter make free
with her when she looked at him as she
can. Another thing-you have got ter
stop your scandalizin. It's good words
fer her or none ef you wanter keep
friends with me-"
"I'll treat her like she was . queen
from this time on" Mrs. Winfold said
spitefully. But the Lord knows I
don't see nothin in her ter set you nm
all you men so crazy after her. Ef you
git her, the worst wish | make you is
that you may not be sorry Of it the last
day you live"
"Thanky. III risk it. I'm Of age,'
Mr.. Topmark snorted. II Icouldn't make
you underestimate won't try it-that
she's one or the sort that 8 worth all
the pretty women in the world. oain't
make you understand, neither, how
feel about her. but I reckon you do
know plain English when you hear 1t,
an this I've got ter say-she' 8 my choice
or all the world
Don't mind mommer, Uncle Ben.
She e's little foolish over us. you know"
Alice said suavely. But Mr.. Topmark
was striding away without 80 much as
q good night.
Rob hardly spoke throughout the
three mile drive to Roscoe. When they
had got half way from the outer gate
to the house. she laid timid hand on
Jacks arm, saying softly:
"stop here, please. don't ask what
you are thinking Of me. Jack. am too
sure you have not got out of your habit
Of helping people who cannot help them.
selves"
"You mean you know would go to
the worlds end for you." jack said.
his breath quiokening. Sweetheart,
only tell me-
"Hushl cannot listen toto such
things now," Rob said. "You must
know I am asking no service for myself
would rather die than do that, even
from you. ;"
"Then whoi' Jack asked, dropping
bis hand over hers. "Rob, darling" he
went on, II am not sordid enough to
make conditions over helping who.
ever you say must, but won't you
promise to see and hear me some day
soon? There is so much we must clear
up. Until tonight, dear. / was wild,