Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-06-11
TIIURMONT FREDERICK THURSDAY JUNE H. 1905


"Of course. quite understand"
said Mrs. Ellsworth.
II never had chance Of finishing. l
was obliged to leave England the fol'
lowing day, and, alas! for the con-
stancy of man. when ] returned l had
completely forgotten her."
"How fortunate! l must congratu.
late you on your Mcapc, Sir Edgar,
Such marriage would have been little
short of madness. And what became
of thc-the-of Miss Montgomery?
"She married publican shortly af'
| terward.'
"How very appropriately
| "And they live--or lived-somewhere
in the neighborhood of the Blackfriars
road"
"Dear me. Quite the proper place.
assented Mrs. Ellsworth
Il think owe debt of gratitude to
the Cockney party" said Sir Edgar
"IIad they not run us down | should
certainly have made an utter ass or
myself"
yes it's wonderful how things work
out sometimes. You were right not 10
continue your proposal. / should thko
an incident like that as solemn warn
ing. Providence certainly sent that
| accident to prevent your folly, and you
were wise to profit by it. The ways OF
| Providence are indeed marvellous
"Thcn | am exceedingly obliged to
Providence" replied Sir Edgar. Then
he dipped his oars into the water ana
| began to row slowly homcward. Mrs.
Ellsworth settled herself more costly
| among the cushions. and sighed softly.
1t was very effective sigh, and had
taken lot of practice.
What pity it is she murmured,
| chat life Is not all summer, ana that
all evenings are not like this. It's alb
solutcly cruel to think that we shall
both be returning to London i'll feW
| days"
Sir Edgar nodded >and continued
rowing. Then he stopped suddenly.
"NIrs. Ellsworth" he said gently, i
| have something TO say to you. won
der if You can guess what it is!
She dropped her eyes and murmured
| something unintFligible. Mentally
she was composing the announcement
| for the Morning Post
"Aladge." and he leaned forward ana
| touched her hand, lit is twenty-five
wears since proposed to woman. l
have lust told YOU how it happened.
| Tonight history repeats itself.
lie rose as he spoke and attempted to
cross The boat TO her side. but rs he
did 50 he slipped, clutched at the scat
| TO save himself missed it, ana fe'l
| backwards into the water. Mis-. Els
worth screamed and jumped TO the
side of the boat just as Sir Edgar was
cndcayoring to climb into it. Their
combined weight however. capSiz'd
the frail craft. and a minute later they
| were both struggling in the river.
Fortunately they were quite close to
the brnk, and had no difficulty III
reaching a place of safety. They ran
straight back to the house, entering IL
| hy n side door. 81 IA to avoid the rest
of the party; and except for their dam
aged clothes they We're none the worse
for their wctting.
Sir Edgar, when he had changed his
things, gave his friends an account or
| the accident. and in the smoking-roon
mused on the strange coincidence III
| the turn OF events.
Mrs Ellsworth, on her part, before
her bedroom fire hcwaied the uniucky
accident. and wondered what Sir Ed
gar would have to say the next day.
Her doubts were. however, soon put
ut rest the following morning by Lady
| Popham, who entered her room as she
| was brcakfasting in bed.
Isn't this provoking|' she eX.
claimed. as she waved letter III her
hand. "Sir Edgar writes that he has
had an urgent message, and has been
Obliged TO leave for London Ivy an
early train this morning. lie left TINS
note for me to explain matters. Now
we shall be Il man short. Isn't 1t a
nuisance? BY the way she cont!il-
| ued, "hc sent message to you. lie
| homes YOU are none the worse for last
nights accident. and wishes to apollo
eiZp for his carclcssnCSS. lie Is sorry
he is unable to see you TO say Soou'
bye"
Then. without noticing her frlonGs
| laXprcSsion. she went on:
"IIc told some one this morning that
Providence always arranged these
things for the best. What on ear'l'
could he mcan:"
II am sure don't know said Mrs
Ellsworth, GROSSLY. But she fancled
she did know, all the same.-Normah
| II. Oliver, in The Free Lance.