Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-18
ef I could you know it wouldn't look

young buG once. Really, MIS- TALBOT,
I don't envy nobody, least Of all you,
but it is right hard that here you have
got four boys an none at all.
"Ah, but 1 have no girl, and Alice
makes up for a great many boys, not
counting little Nina" Mrs Talbot usu-
ally responded. Then before the next
ncighborhood merrymaking she set her
gcntlo wits to work so successfully that
Miss Winfold appeared at it under her
own ohaperonago and with Jacks es-
cort Thus people had got so in the way
Of seeing the two together it was re-
garded as settled that they would make
a match as soon rs the Talbot debts
were paid to the last cent Jack would
not need to wait for making home
when there was the Winfield place ach
ing for a master.
Everybody, almost, agreed that it
would be mighty fine thing. Jack was
easily the best chance, as Alice was the
finest girl in the countryside. They
seemed made for each other indeed, and
then the properties fitted SO we'll. But
here or there dissident shook tho head
and looked wise.
"Alico Winfold-yes, she Is fine
GIRL" they said. "The fellow that gets
her'll be lucky. but his namo won't be
Jack Talbot You may depend it won't.
not by jugful, unless that Is, some
body comes along to carry off that wild
girl, Rob McGregor :"
So there was craning Of necks upon
tho store porch when slim creature,
sitting as light as thistle down, camo
galloping along tho creek way and halt
ed at the big front gate which led into
the Topmark lawn. The girl wore
clean waist Of faded print, ~ rusty black
riding skirt and q big rough straw hat.
Her hands were bare and tanned ber-
ry brown. So was her lower face, yet
the tan but served to accent Its vivid
charm of scarlet lips and dark, liquid
eyes and mobile witchery of elfin smiles.
Bending litho!y from the saddle, she
unlatched the gate, drew it open and
wheeled her horse through it, closing it
softly after her. One of the men Oh the
porch had stepped forward, but she
waved him back with !. smiling nod.
i
ward tho house. Her face grew gravely
sympathetic. Sho checked her mare to
slow amble, and at the smart green
gate slipped noiselessly down and made
her way to the piazza.
As she set foot on it Jack Talbot came
through the hall door, his face shaken,
his eyes SO blurred and misty the sun
,ht 4 t,,h Pr,t tn yrn
girl at the threshold and caught her
hand in warm clasp, saying little
unsteadily:
II am glad you have come, Rob.
though none Of US can do any moro than
to show respect and sympathy
"Oh, Mrs. Topmark cannot be dead.
Why, only yesterday I saw herewith
the chiidren-driving-and they were
so we'll and happy" Rob said. her
voice, too, breaking from Its soft, vi
brunt cadence, the quick color paling in
her olive checks Sho was as dark as
Jack was golden fair, and. though she
was moro than common tall among
womankind, he stood a good head
higher.
"Oh, howdy, Rob? So good of you to
come. But-but how did you hear Of
of our gr-ea- at t-t-troub-le?" Mrs. Win
fold said, darting out upon the porch,
with Anuio in her arms. "Bad news al
ways travels fast" she went OH. "Oh,
do all you, our frien's, pray fer usl Eff
you don't, an the Lord don't hear,
know it'll kill brother-yes. jest kill
him-losin that sweet, dear woman,
without no warnin at all. "
She was a shrunken woman, with q
flattish, commonplace face and voice
that had a rasping tang, though now
she tried to make it subdued and full
of grief. Her eyes were deep set, sharp
and restless. In spite of grief and worry
they took equal note Of the fact that
Jack had held Rob's hand much longer
than courtesy required, and that Rob,
the reprehensible, now out of her rusty
riding skirt had on a calico frock
bought from the store full two years
back. Evidently she had come to them
just as the ill news found her She was
SO different from dear Alice, who in the
face of calamity had tho forethought to
make herself neatly smart in rut1ed
pink lawn.
"Mammy Liza told me. Aunt Phe.
my brought her word" Rob said sim
ply. "And pappy bade mo come at once.
Ever since his own trouble, you know,
his first thought is to try and help
"Yes, l know-but nothin-cain't
be done." Mrs. Winfold said, with
gush of ready tears. Her emotions lay
shallow. She could cry almost when
she had the mind. But neither Of her
companions suspected that; their own
eyes sympathetically overflowed. With
out a word Jack strobe away, mounted
and galloped off. Rob stood breathing
hard and wishing herself we'll at home.
Before she could put the wish in action
Alice came out to them, fell upon Rob's
neck and wept decorous minute, then
took her hand and said: "Do come up
stairs to the poor children, Rob- You
have such a way with them, an they
are cryin fit to break their little
hearts. "
Eyes, an take Annie along ter the
Others Mrs. Winfold struck in, put
ting little, hot hand in Rob's At the
touch of it Rob stopped and kissed the
child. Then as the little one nestled to
her she lifted the small figure, and,
holding it to her breast, followed Alice
to the bright airy room that had been