Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-25

A very wise man has said there is no

Mazl Liza had not been at perpetual
feud with Luce Allen, Miss Winfield and
her mother might have postponed if not
wholly escaped very bad quarter of an
hour. Luce was the foremost of the
black passersby who came upon Jack
and Rob. She had seen enough to make
her smile, thrust her tongue in the cheek
and resolve to 60 to Mrs. Winfold's
bright and early next morning. Besides
q born gossip's relish for things of ac-
count she knew she could give herself
the double satisfaction of revenge upon
Nam Liza and of getting even with
Mrs Winfold for more than one grudge
kept this long time in mind.
Yet her face was pattern Of demure
and ebon innocence when she came ask
ing if Miss Alice and Miss Sairey could
not be- persuaded to undertake making
her new black calico against AL occa.
sion of combined funerals soon to come
off at Boiling Spring church. They
agreed readily, and throughout the time
OF cutting and fitting Luce let her tongue
run to such purpose that she left them
both upon the verge of stormy tears.
That was not surprising if you con.
slider that Miss Winfold s world thought
her as tender hearted as she was admi-
rable. Her mother said indeed she didn't
sec how dear Alice got along even as
we'll as she did, so sensitive as she was
Why, the least little trouble coming to
anybody made her cry half a day.
Brother even noticed it and was mighty
careful of what he told her, and when
itcame to conscience, "Oh, my, eff Alice
thought anybody, no matter who er
what they might be. had injestice done
'em, most of all by anybody that was
anything ter her, why, l do believe
Alice would 60 almost out of her mind"
Assurodly Miss Alice had fountain
Of ready tears. They flowed freely as
she said, looking after tho vanishing
black woman:
"Mommer, what makes you stare at
mo that way? Cod knows | wish could
say don't believe anything, but l do
Just know, in fact, Luce told the
truth
Mrs. Winfold's heels beat q rataplan
on the floor 1t was full half minute,
indeed, before she gathered voice to sd.
1T ain't, it can't, it shan't, be so!
The idear, brother goin ter court that
little upstart mink, that limb, that
vixen, Rob McGregor, an Jack Talbot
engaged ter her an huggin her in the
face of daylight an everybody! IF them
things can be, CANT no longer believe
in Providence. Poor Mrs. Talbot! l
know she'd Il heap ruther sec Jack dead,
rs I'd ruthcr see brother -
''Do shut up, can't you? I'm sick an
tired of all you can say about anything!'
Alice interrupted irritably. "Lot mo
get my head clear. l must think hard.
There's a way out Of all this. I'll find
it as sure as my names Alice Winfold. "
Dear me alive! Ef it stays Alice
Winfold much longer, think III run
off with the first tin pcddlcr that comes
along" Nina, the younger Winfield,
Caid pertly. "You are so cross there
amt no livin with you, an so ugly 1t
amt no wonder Rob McGrcgor has cut
you out"
"You better mind how you talk,
missy!" Alico almost shouted. Mrs.
Winfold scowlod darkly and muttered
something about pert vixens that needed
to be whipped Nina had sauntered to
the front door and stood leaning out of
it, Over her shoulder she called mali
ciously:
"You better hush an straighten up
your faces. Yonder comes Mrs. Talbot.
an Jack with her.
IL wonder why she could not have
sense enough to stay away until some.
body wanted to see herr" Alice said,
grinding her teeth as she made dash
for tho water basin and began dabbling
hor eyes. But that did not prevent her
from running to the horse block to meet
and greet the visitor, nor from saying
rs she set the easiest chair for her: "You
are too kind for anything. What would
we do without you?"
Peace remained with Mrs. Talbot in
the bosom of tho Winfield family. That
was not long, though. By 10 o'clock sho
had gone, and Mrs. Winfold was saying
between bursts Of angry tears:
"Oh, yes! She's heard it. That's
what brought her here ! mean that lie
about brother. She wanted me ter name
1t. The fool! I'd "a died first!'
81 only hopo it ism lie, Alice re-
turned, with an ugly sneer. "La, ma,
ire most as big q fool as Mrs. Talbot
herself! If she wasn't fool, she'd be
bound to see through u.s. But that amt
here nor there The thing to consider
is how we can keep Jack from marryin
Rob inside month.
calico, you don't think he means
really Mrs. Winfield began.
Her daughter cut her short. You
ought to know-you must if you had
the least sense-that, whether he cares
for her or not, Jack will marry her out
of hand if he hears that people talk
about her on account Of him. So the
very best thing that can happen for me
10 this chance to make him jealous OF
Uncle Benz
J "Oh, Alice, don't say you believe
thatr' Mrs. Winfold cried tragically.
"Why, I'd die ef thought brother real
ly''-
, "Brother'll make q fool Of himself
same as any old widower. AS 1t has got
to be over some girl, I'm mighty glad
he pitched OH Rob" Alice said. "1know
you hate her. Idon't. II can just man.
ace to make Jack believe she has the