Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-12-15

Ho~ In the grand saloon a
bright fire cracked at the bottom of a
great chimney. and through the half
closed windows the freshness of the
moonlight and the murmur of the Ba-
Narian forest entered like q careSs. The
chase that day had been fatiguing
one. and in the choice circle which
gathered around His Highness, the
conversation became familiar and
without constraint. 1t was in the
midst of this that the valet swung
open the doors and announced the
Count and Countess Of Allcncck. and
all heads were turned with eyes full of
curiosity. Even the Prince. ordinarily
50 blAse sat wondering what might
come.
1t was the first time that the Count
of Alleneck had appeared socially for
many years, and many foolish and nm
true stories had been circulated about
him. He had married. so it was said.
but far below him, and lived. retired.
on his own estate and yielding only to
the formal demand of The Prince. had
come TO present his wife to the init
mate circle Of the court.
But what difference between them,
lie was a man of noble appearance. Of
tine face and noble bearing. and she.
n common woman. with short hair and
peasants face wearing a black dress
which fitted her badly. aud without
taste. Tie circle which unpitiably
stared at her, did not stop to see the
rare grace of her eyes. nor the kinlli-
uess which covered all her features. II
only saw the brthmark, written in uu-
deuiable traits-plcbeian
She came forward with timidity.
made rustic courtesy and said cor
daily. in a high voice:
II thank YOU for this honor, sir
Prince. My husband has always said
that we have a most kindly Prince
for master We have named our boy
Louis Ferdinand. out of respect to our
Prince"
AS sho spoke she looked furtively at
her husband. Had She said the wrong
thing that the room was so silent? He
understood the illconceaIed mockery
of the company. and felt the cOolness
Of the Prince, who heard the words
without reply. and the big slash III the
forehead reddened.
Turning to his wife affectionately,
he said:
Come, Anna Marie. | wish to show
YOU the park and the hothouses. There
are some splendid specimens of cedarS
and orchids there
No one detained them. They went
ont in the moonlight.
y silence of Stupefaction followed
their departure. and chen babel of
voires filed the rooii.
The Prince. slowly. slightly Shrug-
ging his shoulders said: 1T is ridcu-
'ous.' This was the signal. the rails
ing Of 4 latch which opened the door
to the torrent of criticism. What Il fine
opportunity,
shes no lady" Poor Allcneck, ="
said another. Too bad that he seems
so satisfied" crafty woman, Won
der how she inveiged him." said II
third.
Major Xyander the favorite both of
the Prince and .Alleneck, answered
General Van Orff iokingly.
she is not woman of quality" the
general had said
Beg pardon, TO me she has many
qualities"
But she is low born"
Wrong again she was born in a
little village 1000 feet above the sea
level"
"Oh. but yo,l are an incorrgible jOk-
er. What may her name be-"
anna Marie Scholastika Hosi," said
Xylandcr with as much Importance
as if he was detailing the complete
pedigree of duchess.
Every body laughed.
"Now." said the Major. with the
permission of the Prince. let me tell
but YOU may we'll be assured it is per
fectly true. 1t commences at Sedan
where $4,000 dead aid wounded
strewed the hiltops of lily and Ho
mig.
THE German ambulance found
there that day man stripped CT every
thing and literally covered witt
wounds. On being taken to the mill
tary hospital, it was weeks before he
began TO recover. but as his strength
of body increased. his intelligence
made no progress. He remembered
nothing--neither his name, nor hi
country. In the hospital he was known
by his number only--tw0. Finally dis