Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-09-05
[CoNTINTED FROM 1sT PAGE


CoNT1NTED FROM 1sT PAGE ar
where a small ronud table was daintiIy
laid for two.
Mona was superb She never talked
80 we'll nor smiled so brilliantly.
After dinner the coffee was carried 10
them IN the library, round room with
an open fireplace and Furnishings of
warm brown.
'Do you know, | scarcely recosnjza
YOU tonight. What has cone over yon'
asked The man.
Mona smiled curiously and leaned
her head back against awny satin
pillow.
v believe l am tired of trying to be
somebody else. | am letting myself so
as it were,' she Said.
And when you cast aside the mask
and become your own self. You feel
kinder toward me?
Mona let her great eyes rest upon his
with something aIlurng in their tragic
depths.
The man moyed 70 pile of cushions
at her feet.
To you know it was something |
heard about you today that has wrought
the change she went on dreamily.
Yes, a girl told me YOU were in Ioye
with her. that Won had said So
YOU must have been talking to Your.
SELF
No indeed! This was little, pale
girl, with fair hair, and as fragile as a
flower
Mr.. Turner started.
YOU mean Alta Lee
Mona nodded and leaned forward
with a challenge in her eyes.
YOU know that told you once,
months ago, that I cared for you. A
man like me does not change so quickly
Why have you not more confidence"
But Miss Lee; she says you told her
the same thing. The poor little thing
confded in me. If she only knew what
a poor coafidant she had chosen. |
could not sympathize with her-l was
too busy thinking Of myself
But size is in love with another man,
some fellow she met not long ago, and
has not thought to spare for me-
'Ah, she told you that. Women do
strange things when their hearts are
troubled. She doubts you. She was
trying to prove you and she says that
you swear that it is she, and she alone
out Of all the world Of women that you
love. And | what am | to think Of
that?
vt is not So
But you told her 60.
Yes; perhaps
WhyT
v will tell you why. She sent me
this letter. Read it and tell me if
man could do differently under the cir
cumstances I was forced to say l cared
for her after rea ding that
Mona took the letter half reluctantly
and dropped her eyes to hide the CLEAN
of triumph in their depths.
1t was the very letter. She rose with
it in her hand and moved over toward
the fireplace as though to cover her ag.
itstion as she read. Then. quick as
thought, she dropped it upon the blaz-
ing logs.
The man sprang forward. What
he started to say.
Mona threw back her head and laugh.
ed, Outwitted I she cried. u do not
think you will hold that communication
over my foolish little friend any more.
Come, smile and take it like a man.
Alta and her fortune are not for you.
She will marry a man who appreciates
her and be happy ever after, and you will
have to make the best off it,
And how about you" asked Cleve
Turner roughly.
'Oh, have only had another disillu.
sion, and have saved nv friend
YOU could not care for man.
No. said Mona, u could not care 10
night. | did yesterday.
Mona said Alta the next day, you
would be an angel if you were not so
clever, but you know too much for an
ordinary angel. am the happiest girl
alive to think that dreadful letter is
destroyed, but do wish you would tell
me how you did it.
Mo, no. laughed Mona. THAT is my
secret, and Mr.. Turner's and she went