Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-02-09
TWO NIGHTS IN JUNE

- w
The words echoed Idly In Brunton's
mind, as, escaping by favor Of Il
French easement from the crowded re-
ception room, he found himself In the
pleasance. Softly the thrill of the dis
tant music rose and fell upon the still
air. Less tunefully sounded the nearer
hum of conversation and laughter, tha
vague yearning for sympathy that had
lain like cord round his heart all day
gripped him close. Then an affected
laugh stung in his ear, and BruntOn
turned afresh toward solitude.
Brunton was young; his SOUL new.
dedged, was immature, nebulous, and
his emotions still of the crudest. Yet
as he looked skyward his spirit sunk
at the thought of leaving so much
beauty and sweetness fOr-he knew
not what. Tomorrow he would leave
England to join his regiment, and few
seemed to know or care. For the first
time he felt constrained to mourn the
lack of near relatives to fuss and weep
over his departure. His coming to
Mrs. Derrick's AT Home" had been
1 mistake, too. Having a few hours
that it would pass the time pleasantly.
Now he felt annoyed at his folly in SO
ioing.
Taking out a cigar he lit a match.
which a sportive zephyr playfully ex-
dnguished. Among the shadows hid
.ustic arbor, and stepping inside the
shelter Of it's doorway he struck
.resh CLEAN. Flaring up brightly 1t re-
vealed, huddled up close to the back
wall Of the arbor, shrinking girl
sh form.
For one startled moment his keen
gray eyes looked amazement into
frightened blue ones.
"Why, by Jove! Oh! I say" he ejac-
llated inconsequently.
The childish face, set in an aureole of
golden hair, raised appealingly to his.
"Oh, please, please, don't tell any
oody. I only came out here to get
away from the people"
"Did you? Well, l say, that should
,e a bond of union between us, for so
lid l."
The dying flicker of the wax match
saw an expression of relief cross the
girls face. "And you won't tell any
body about my coming out here. 1t
would seem SO rude to Mrs. Derrick,
you know"
mot a soul, honor bright. But sure-
v you didn't leave the house to crouch
Up here in the darkY'
"Oh, no! 1t was lovely among the
stars and flowers and things; then !
heard some one coming, and ran In
here till he should 60 past, and you
caught me"
won't you come out and walk
igain?" He was longing to see her.
The darkness of the summer-house
was tantalizing, and chivalry rebelled
at the rudeness of striking another
light.
And you will smoker she asked.
Using in reply to his query, and
walking to the door.
mo, thanks, l don't care to now.
Suppose we stroll round?'
The starlight that revealed to Sylvia
a soldierly form with short-cropped
dark hair, and a quite perceptible
mustache, showed Brunton petite
igure, whose robe of shimmering
white satin draped loosely from tho
Did lace that outlined its square-cut
bodice, a string Of pearls round the
slender neck the only ornament.
For moment convention triumph
ed and they were bashful together.
thereafter the influence of the June
night prevailed, and they inclined to
confidence. Before ,ney had complete
Y encircled the lawn Sylvia knew that
Brunton was soldier, that tomorrow
be would sail for India to join his
Jolly deck cabin to myself" And ere
they emerged from the long archway
If roses Brunton knew that this was
sylvia's first party, that she was an
orphan, and lived with her grand
mamma. That at that moment her
yrandmamma was playing whist In
Mrs. Derrick's ante-room; that Sylvia
nefseif passed endless evenings play
ing whist with grandn.amma,
"And you have never been any
wherew This pltyingly, from the
height of his experiences which were
yet to come.
"No, never. We always 60 to Tor.
1uay in winter, but that's nearly just
the same as being at home. DO you
xnow. I've never, never once been out
If doors at night before"
mot even TO a theatre?"
mo" =.
"Poor little girl! say!-struck by
, sudden idea-"your guardian will be
,ome time over whist, won't she"
"Why, yes. The game has just be-
gun. and they won't finish under
rubber"
"Well, suppose I take you some'
where for haft an hour or SOTO
:heatre or music hail? My cab Is wait
lng."
"Ohy A gasp of delight followed by
the inevitable, But would 1t not be
wrong" and II can't 60 dressed like
this"
Manlike, Brunton rode rough-shod
over both scruples.
"Oh, nobody will know. Walt here
, moment while run to the house and
forage for wraps"
Leaving Sylvia in the safe seclusfon
u the arbor, he vanished, returning
,peedily clad in light topcOat and crush
nat, and bearing hevy cloak OF vel
vet and furs.
"Thatw breathed Sylvia, In horri-
led whisper, when he showed his spoil,
why. you've brought grandmamma's
sable mantle!"
"Oh, that's all :igi,t, so. long as it's
,io; eryourh." replied her fellow-sinner,