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


at the last minute Nina had demanded
to be brought; hence her mothers late
arrival and ignorance Of her brothers
fall into Rob's snare.
The minute service ended, she made
for him, saying in her meekcst voice,
from which she tried vainly to keep q
fearful shake:
"Brother, IL hope you are we'll this
beau ti.ful day. Why didn't You bring
them dear little angel children with you
ter church,"
"Huh, I had other fish ter fry!' Mr..
Topmark said airily, trotting after Rob
Is she led her father to the thick shade
where Uncle Allen and Nam Liza await.
ID them with the dinner baskets. When
the old man began to ask: Daughters
where are the Talbots? Maybe they can
spare Us jack Mr.. Topmark broke
in with an oily smirk: ooh, la, Sis
Sarah's got the whole Talbot gang BY
the nose, but eff you want things done,
suh-why, amt gone nowhar, an you
may take me for security in any amount
yes, any! No harm shan't come ter
Miss Rob now ner never eff she il listen
ter me-"
The last words were in Rob's ear, too
low for other hearing. She, too, seemed
not to hear them. She did not flush or
turn away her head. Nam Liza, on her
knees, unpaoking the three big baskets,
looked up to say quickly: Honey, yam.
der go ole Miss Payne an her two gals.
You run an tell dem ter come eat wild
ole marster. Mayby you don't members
it. but dey wuz his bes' friends fore
dee looked AL buyed dat place SO fur
way crost dc creek. "
"I'll bring Them" Rob said, darting
away. Mr. Topmark tried to follow, but
she waved him back, saying: Eat your
dinner, sir. am going to hunt up 20
people"
LAS Of you want takin my heart an
appetite with you!'' he began in gallant
protest. "You amt no business ter
leave me. You know I jest come here
fer tho sake er talkin ter you. They
amt nothin else in the world would
make me willin ter lose mayby $25
with DER Sunday trade
"You had better go and save 1t, Rob
broke in. Here, Nam Liza! Give Mr..
Topmark his dinner, quick! Get the
best in the basket. Then to him: lyon
must 60. I shall not talk to you any
more, and shall not 90 home with you.
Thank you for my ride i'll that beautiful
new rig. Thank you, too, for letting me
make people open their eyes so. But
don't wait. 1t is not the least use. "
II won't, my young lady," Mr.. Top.
mark muttered to himself. Then he said
aloud: "Ef you wa'nt-well, you. Miss
Rob, I'd git mad as Tucker. Wouldn't
take what you jest now tole me from
nary mother livin woman. But you
CANT bluff me off. Itell you that right
nowl"
ooh, don't want to bluff you of! II
I did, / should not try words. Nothing
short Of dynamite could possibly do
that" Rob said, smiling TRANQUILITY, as
she walked away. She had still the sense
Of being outside herself, Of watching a
double who laughed and TESTED and even
got dull amusement from Topmark's
antics what time her real self was In
the depths Of woe. She began to feel,
too, that she must be rid of him at all
hazards. So she almost ran after Mrs.
Payne, who had been her mother dear
est friend, and, SO long as they were
close neighbors, Rob own especial prov.
idence.
She was big woman, with placid,
pinky face, almost without wrinkles,
under beautiful, white hair. Her two
daughters were tall and as thin as the
mother was plump, though they had the
same fine blue eyes and wholesome. sun
ny smile. AS they shook hands with Mr.
McGregor lie said little anxiously:
$50 that girl Of mine found you in
spite Of the crowd. I hope you are going
to help me keep her in bounds today"
Never you mind about this girl I
remember her of old-the best bad
child and worth any three good ones
that ever trod shoe leather" Susan. the
elder Of the Payne girls, said heartily.
"I'm so glad, Uncle Robert, to find her
Just the same. It's refreshing to en-
counter anybody who dares to be nat
ural. I don't think girls were meant to
be like Jumps Of putty, ready and wait
ing to be crushed in any crevice handy"
"No, don't like that sort, Mr.. Top
mark interposed as gsllantly as a man
might with his mouth full of cheese
cake. Miss Payne looked him over from
head to foot, then said oarelessly:
II should think girls would scarcely
interest gentleman Of your age"
II have not seen you before since
your unspeakable loss, Mr.. Topmark,
Mrs. Payne interposed mildly. $50 I
must say how 1 sympathize with you
80 sudden and terrible and so entirely
unforeseen. Your wife was, think, 30
years younger than yourself.
eyes, poor Louisa. She was as good
a wife as ever man had" Mr.. Topmark
said, reddening family "still, Mrs.
Payne, I've near got over my grief. But
I'm that lonesome I don't mean ter be