Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-18
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to his inner consciousness that there
was one more man in the world could
tie cravat with as much style as Ted.
dy himself. But Of that MI Topmark
reckoned nothing. He was too rapt in
his own concerns. "Now, Rob, my dar-
ling" he was saying to himself, II
hopo you'll be sensible an gimme er
chance ter settle this yere business the
way like Eff you but knowed it, my
gal, you ain't got no show without me-
Thar amt hoof ner horn you kin sell.
The whole crap. eff it was in the barn:
wouldn't fetch er hundred dollars. An
thar's the ole man. You wanter keep
him in cotton wool. You're er fool fer
that, but be hanged ef don't love you
better Jest because or sech foolishnesa
Jack Talbot is better ter look at n me,
but you won't take him, not ef you re
sensible. But you ain sensible. / don't
believe ! want you ter be neither Ell
thought you'd take me fer what I've
got, l wouldn't be nigh so mad after
you. I'd ruther sorter make you take
me an then coax you inter lovin me than
ter have you dxap in my mouth because
or what kin give YOU"
He had been silently goliloquizing III
front of his dead wife's t!ne big bureau.
Looking himself carefully over il the
mirror he half sighed, struked his stub.
bly, mustache, then all at once sat sud-
denly down, with an odd, smothering
pain at his heart. 1t passed in second
or two, but left him white and shaken,
II mus put er stop ter that, " he said
hoarsely. "Tho olo witch Black Sam
had spells like that all winter befo' he
died, an the niggers all said he was con"
jured."
AS he went out on the porch Luley
dropped her beloved crochet work and
sidled up to him, saying, with all air OF
weariness, "Popper, lemme 60 with
you ter Aunt Sarah's ternight?'
Hey! Have you set out too? Who air
You castin sleeps eyes at?' Mr.. Top:
mark asked, laughing, glad to have any
distraction just then. II didn't know
had er grown daughter. When did you
put on long dresses?''
81 wish could put 'em on" Luley
said, signing deeply. '"Then I could
marry an take Jinney an Amy ter live
with me soon as our stepmother comes.
Aunt Sarah says all stepmothers are
mean as they can be, but don't believe
Miss Rob will beat US. That's why
want tor 60 ternight, so I can beg her
ter take you an keep you from chasin
off after that hateful old Miss Mandy
Allen"
"B'George! Then maybe I better
take you, Mr.. Topmark said, laughing!
But it was Lawyer Howell instead who
bore him company that night when he
went driving away to the Winfield par
ty. Rob came late and in her worn
white frock instead Of the half new
blue one, yet she was easily the belle,
with checks dclicately pink as a wild
rose freshly open and eyes dilated to
black hrilliance, like the shining OF
midnight stars. There was new note
in her voice, too, sort of tense, vibrant
softneas that thrilled the listening ear.
Naturally the other young women,
save Miss Winfield, made common cause
against her. When 1t came to dancing,
moro than one sat down suddenly and
unaccountably when Rob was opposite
her. But in the end these malcontents
hurt only themselves They were left
wallnowers while Rob went victoriously
from strength to strength, from con.
quest to conquest, for she danced as one
inspired. Townsman that he was, pre-
pared to laugh at rural gambols, Law
yer Howell caught his breath at sight
of her in a solo and as soon as might be
asked her for the next waltz.
"You may have it," Rob said, with
her wickedest smile-"that is, if you
will convert Mrs. Winfield from tho er-
ror Of her way. You see, she does not
allow round dances here In fact, half
believe she thinks any sort Of dancing q
sin unless you can manage to do it very
badly"
"Nou mean she thinks your dancing
wicked. don't at all blame her. see,
Miss McGregor, you are very danger
Gus person, so dangerous scarcely dare
ask for quadrille,' Mr.. Howell said,
with bow. Rob gave faint shrug and
said TRANQUILITY:
"As you like about that lam so used
to bcing thought desperately wicked I
suppose am case hardened. Anyway
even the thought of not being your part;
ner does not plunge me in the depths. "
"Ef he don't ask You after that. III
shoot him. I've great mind ter do it
anyway. None er these yore young chaps
shan't sass you with me eroun,' Mr.
Tor:nark said, grinning. Rob gave him
long look, then turned to her next
partner and whirled away without
word.
At near II o'clock she set the COM
pany agog by saying carelessly to Jack
Talbot i'll tho face of everybody: "Oh,
Jack, make haste and get through your
dance! You have got to take me he 'ue
before 10 o'clock. -