Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-03-17

Cur6O. Iue girl, II ulu dlTdlu, utS Dteu
spoiled between them all. Your mother
there did her share. She is an uppish
little mink, as full Of Independence and
pride as an egg is Of meat Educated
out Of all conception of her true sphere
in life, fear. Your mother there says
the girl is absolutely strong minded;
talks Of going north to study medicine.
Revolving"
1.-THE world moves, grandpa" Adrien
laughed at the Anticipated horror in the
governors eyes. "How about Strong?
He was rather favorite Of yours ut
one time"
eyes That is, Eben had bestowed
my name on the chap and desired him
to do credit to it. thought he was in
a fair way to do SO, too, from all I
heard. But the governors long blue
veined hand went up to his velvet skull
cap and set it slowly rotating-"I am
glad you've brought his name up
Adrien. 1t convinces me that you have
not avoided it purposely."
"Purposely! Why should I?'
They were smoking their morning
cigars on the side veranda where the
Lamarque rose interposed sweet smell
ing clusters of blossom and leaf between
them and the sun s direct rays. Adrien
leaned slightly forward as he asked that
question and tipped the ash from his
cigar down upon the border Of white
violets that clothed the rose trees
gnarled roots. His mother was there,
too, with her large key basket sitting
on the floor by the side of her chair.
She was putting a delicate patch in a
damask tablecloth that was too precious
an heirloom to be lightly flung away.
She could only see Adrien's beautiful
profile from where she sat, and the pink
carnation he had pinned ON tho lapel of
his drab velveteen shooting jacket watt
ed its odor toward her. 1t was the peace
fullest, happiest hour of all the day to
her.
ITO be sure, why should you? 1t is
very commendable Of you preserving
such reticence about a man who has
once been your schoolmate, but think
am entitled to know what you know.
You need not hesitate. Redmond has
put me in possession of the whole story.
I simply wanted your view of the case.
What was Strong's trouble at Single
TOM"
"If Redmond has put you in posses
sion Of the whole story you don't need
to hear it afresh from me, grandpa. /
think Strong made fool of himself and
damaged his reputation irretrievably.
No one regrets it more than do
"But what did he do?"
Invited suspicion. A lot of trum-
perry had disappeared from various
rooms in the college, stolen by the serv
ants, Of course, but when it came to
$50 in cash and Professor Rcdmond's
watch stir was made and the faculty
took it into their sapient heads that one
of the boys was the culprit and must be
made an example of. A devil of muss
they Kicked up too
"Preposterousv the governor e1acu-
lated excitedly.
"Absurdr' Mrs. Strong murmured
breathlessly.
"Of course, but, preposterous and alb
surd as it may appear, they had Lawyer
Seephar out to harangue the fellows and
his eloquence acted upon poor old
Strong like revival sermon. 1t stirred
him almost to the pitch Of turning tale
bearer-that is, if he really knew any
thing. He held his tongue, however,
succeeding only in convincing every
body that if there was a criminal there
~ / I.,
Martin himself l talked to him, but 1
could make no Roadway against old See
phar's forensic eloquencc. That is all
there is to tho business. had rather
not have spoken Of this grandpa, for
suspicious once voiced rapidly crystal
lie into convictions, and 4 strong case
against a man can sometimes be worked
up from the most impalpable nothings "
A moment of adlniring silence fol-
lowed this expression of fine feeling.
The governor removed his spectacles
and rubbed them absently. Mrs. Strong
passed her gold thimble caressingly over
the daintiest of patches in her fine dam
ask Adrien was n great comfort to
them both.
Every true and very creditable to
you, boy" said the governor, having
fully digested Adriens remarks, but,
given your impalpable nothings, indi-
vidual bias must have something to do
with building up your case, and the
bias was with Martin, if I understand
matters"
"YeG-but''-
"He was not gentleman. That ex-
plains it all. The plebeian strain per-
mitted him to feel uneasiness for fear
that suspicion might rest upon him.
This explanation of Strong's attitude
was delivered by Mrs. Strong in her
mellow soprano. She could accredit any
amount of gaucherie and moral obliqui-
ty to plebeian strain in man or woman.
After that Adrien had flung his cigar
away and taking his cap and gun, had
gone down to the stables to counter
mand his orders for the drag. He had
lost all desire to renew his acquaintance
with Amy Chambliss Immediately. He
had struck discordant note in the har
mony of the day and was out of tune
with the mild refulgence Of the October
skies, the searching fragrance of the
Mespilus plums, the vivid beauty of the
goldenrod, the nutty pungence of the
pecan grove, one and all Of which chal-
lenged his languid notice in that short
walk from the big house to the harness
room.
He had been reared in the school Of
polite observances, however, so he had
turned at the foot of the steps and, hold
ing his cap in his hand, notified his
mother of his change of programme. II
shan't go over to the Chamblisses this
morning, dearest.