Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-05-10

danger and was near enough to help you.
Even if the branch grew ever so low
and was ever so strong you were haz-
arding your life to go up there at all;
do you know thatT
u suppose so; but the valley was very
beautiful seen from there said Freda in
self excuse. UP here the branches and
the spur of the hills partly spoil our
outlook
YOU must be an artist TO care so much
No, am only Freda-Freda Mont
gomery: but love to look at the beau
titul things
Two hours slipped away before Frada
thought of going home.
In that time the acquaintance pro-
gressed rapidly and when Percy Leeling
said good bye to Freeda, 1T was at her
fathers door and with promise to call
the next day.
Father said Freda that evening, u
have something to tell you
Found birds nest, l snpposeT
No: guess higher
Not a nugget of gold?'
No, nothing like money, but grand,
| handsom.-
There, there. child don't bother me.
I haye to plan about getting the gold
out of that pocket in the creek before
some other fellow finds it, You can tell
me your wonderful discoveries any time
can't you?'
Tsuppose So
A few evenings later Mr. Montgomery
said
YOU look very rosy tonight; you
haven't discovered gold, have you%
No father. something great deal
better
What, better than gold? Not dia-
mords !
No, father: how to be happy without
gold or diamonds
Nonsense, child. Where do you get
such trashy notions"
May l tell you about itT
No, no, not tonight; I've no patience
to listen to fairy tales; I'm too busy
with the thoughts of gold.'
You think eff gold all the time don
you. father"
Never mind, chick. One of these
days you shall help me to spend it
Your beauty shall shine from proper
setting of jewels and silks and laces, ,ther
you will be really happy
Perhaps
Absurd child, of course you will
About two weeks after the first meet
ing of Percy and Freda Mr. Montgom
cry went home at an unusual hour anc
found the two conversing earnestly III
his cabin.
Both arose at his entrance, and Fredt
said:
Dear father, this is Percy-Mr. Percy
Leeling.'
Who the dickens is MIR. Percy Leel
ing, and what do you know about hin
that you dare receive him alone in my
absenceE
Percy began to explain but Was 81
fenced by gesture.
Let her speak first said the father
she is simple and easily imposed upon
but she will say what is true
so will he,' declared Freda loyalty
He is noble young man. He saved
my life
From a garter snake, I dare say,
scornfully commented Mr.. Montgomery
And then you invited him to the hous'
did your
Yes father, he could only come fore
moons, and then you are never at home
tried to tell you. and you were AWAY
too busy to listen
"A likely story! Can only come fore
moons, indeedv
Yes, father. In the afternoons he i
, making maps, or something, with tn
others, he is a geologist; he goes aroun'
finding out about the stones
"A prospector Locating mines" crie'
Mr.. Montgomery, angrily, I see througl
the whole mystery, now; he is scheem
ing to learn from you the situation o
that pocket in the rocks-my mine
my goldl If you haye told him
Percy laid u warning finger on Mr.
Montgomery's arm.
sir he said, there are some form
ofipjustice that will not endure. You
daughter is not babbler; I am not
, thief. I have asked nothing about you
affairs and Freda has told me nothing.
Then. what brought you here!
u came to talk with Freda.'
DO you intend to marry herT
'Oh, father, how can you be so dread
, ful?' cried Freds, coveriog her face wit
her hande.