Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-05-01
CHAPTER I.
Continued.

IUuT w HIT sui ltb ouSh, ct"A''-'h-
over the rough ground, and presented
p very red, moist face to their view.
But they took no notice OF him
Stepping genially over the rough
mounds, looking beautifully cool and
clean and smart and well-dressed be-
side the besmirched and perspirine
Willie, they threw back their heads
half closed their eyes, and proceeded
tC criticise the work before them
with as much care and conscientious
ness as If it had been painting on
the walls Of the New Gallery.
II say, old chap, 1t really is the best
thing you've ever DONE" began Otto
with kindly admiration.
by Jovc, Jordan. l never thought
you could paint before" added Cliff
fcrd. "There's a broad touch, and at
the same time a nice feeling for ef'
feet, which shows an immense ad
vance on your previous work. You
seem. so TO speak, to have put all your
strength into the work. 1t does you
immense credit-it really does, old
chap
"Some meaning in it, too. And
that's the point where you always
failed before
To the intense disgust OF Willie,
pretty Nell was evidently much
amused by these remarks. And. al,
though feeling Of condescending
gratitude to her abject admirer made
her try to control her enjoyment, Cliff,
ford saw in her blue eyes a merri'
ment none the less keen that she sub
dued its outward manifestation.
Its easy TO chaff," grumbled Will
lie, hotly. perhaps you'd like to try
the work yourselves"
mo, old chap. We should never get
that depth of color" said Otto, calmly
surveying the artists heated, crimson
face.
ut wants a natural aptitude for that
sort of thing said Clifford.
well, you can take yourselves on
If YOU have nothing better to do than
to find fault with what you haven't
the pluck to do yourselves" said VIII
lie, sharply.
We're not finding faIlt. We arc
expressing our admiration" said Otto
And we are quite ready to try ouI
hand ourselves" said Clifford. as
with a sudden burst of energy. born
Of his desire to linger in the neighbor
hood of Nell, he threw off his OWL
ccat, and struggled for possession OF
the tar-brush.
But Willie resisted. and there was
danger of their both suffering severe
ly from the nature of the prize. when
the object of so much singular loyalty
interposed.
IF you really are so full of energy
that you need some vent for It, saiC
she. in q voice which was full of sug
sestions of demure merriment. "yot
might help pull up those boats"
And she glanced at two of the small
nlcasurc-craft in the river, both OF
which had evidently suffered some in
fury, as their water-logged condition
bore witness.
Clifford set about the task with en-
thusiasm, and, not without difficulty
succeeded in bringing the boats up Oh
the Shiny bank.
1t was warm work, and as Ottt
Conybeare made no offer to assist him
f. was long time before Cllffort
managed, first by baling the water
out of the boats with an old pail ant
then by turning them a little on ont
side when he had partly dragged then
cui. and emptying them. to finish hi
task. When he at last raised his heat
with n great sigh of satisfaction, III
snw. in the river below a weather
| beaten old punt, in which sat a youn
| fisherman of the realistic, not the oper
attic, kind, wearing a hard felt hat,
stained jerJey, and huge pair OF sea
boots. who regarded him with an al
or mingled pity and contempt.
"She always gets moogs to do he
dirty work she do he observed, wit
Jerk of ae head in the direction o
fair Nell "And the better dresse
chey are, &he more she likes it. or
she's a ralAe I'm, she be-"
Now, IL is not in human nature t
like beinn classed among the "moogs,
and Cliff rd, who could hardly fius
deeper crimson than he had alread
done w.tI\ his exertiops, tried to as
sumo au i'ir Of philosophic indifference
In win
"I'r. afraid you are not chivalrou'
my man." said he, thrusting his arm
into his coat and feeling that he woul
like to plunge into the river.
Il don't care to pull the cart out
my body and get no thank for it." RI
Joined the fisherman.
Clifford, in spite OF his assumed stoi'
Ism, began TO feel like a fool. Fl
looked toward the spot where Nell ha
been standing beside the shed, an
saw that she, cs well rs his tw
friends, had disappeared. The f1shel
man grinned and stuck the end of q
old pine in bis mouth with an air {
snug satisfaction.
Il wasn't fashionable enough for he
wasn't an [ thank my stars for !
rs saved ny back many good load
Then Clifford felt satisfied that
was pique at having his own advance
rejected which caused the young fisl
crmaG to be so contemptuous. So /
said, without irritation:
II should have thought no ma
would mind doing mans work
save womans hands"