Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-08-04

part. In the first place, the fact that
YOU are the heir makes her feel dlf'
ferently toward you. She fears lest
people may suspect that she angles for
YOU"
ITO perdition with such gosslps!"
roars Joe.
Exactly my feelings; but that does
not mend matters particle. The Other
thing is what has influenced Molly
most" continues Mr.. Grimes.
"\yell, what Is the tenor of thatT
"You will forgive me If l am per-
sonal?
"Of course"
'"Then bark to the words Of man
whose business it has been for years
to rend human nature. until from eX'
pcrience 1t has become very much like
an open book to him. The hour that
| Molly learned the truth and knew the
man who saved her from the cruel
waters of the Mediterranean ut Malta
was no other than he whom she
sought. the heir to vast estates-then
she suddenly awoke to the conscious.
ness Of the fact that she loved him.
"God grant IT." almost whispers Joe.
"Her maidenly mOdcsty put her on
guard lest she betrny her secret. That
oil. ..e the man in love you have
been In battle, Mynheer Joe; walk
right up to the cannon's mouth, and
the prize is yours
"I will" responds Joe, with sudden
determination. "And yet, hang 1t all.
Grimes. you don't know what queer
feeling comes over me whenever l
start to tell of my love and look up
into Molly's bright eyes. Somehow
the words race into another channel
of themselves. But see here, what did
YOU mean about the baron getting
ahead of p>e: Was that letter from
him:" with fierce frown.
ut was, Offering his hand and heart,
not to speak of his estates, ut the feet
of the queen of beauty whom we know
as Molly Tanner"
MN1lttI JOt iophS SCiiobS'
"That was confounded neat trick
of his--proposing right under my nose.
But don't imagine he has any show.
DO you, GrimesT
"None at all, assure you," with n
grin at the anxiety apparent In Joe's
voice.
..She knows him too well. Thank
Heaven, there are some sensible
American girls who will not sell them
selves for title.'
"Why. old Tanner tells me she has
had proposals from Sir Hugh IRE
lawny and Lord Arthur Stanhope. she
refused them because she did not love
them. Think of 1t, man.
God bless her! She's worth the
winning, And you think I'm safe, Old
fellow"
"You've got the inside track. unless
YOU let it go too long. In matters or
this kind delays are always danger
GUS"
"Well, so long"
Hold on. my friend; where away?
"To find Molly; to tell her what
blockhead am, and ask her to take
me in hand" responds the man of ac-
ton, at which his companion bursts
into roar.
"Time enough for that, Joe. Don't
do it In an abrupt way. Watch your
opportunity. man. The women-bless
Unlike to be wooed and won In the
proper way. Many girl has been
frightened into saying no when she
meaEt yes by the awful abruptness
of her lovers proposal. Besides. am
lust getting to business. Sit down and
behave Yourself"
II suppose / must. but It's too bad
I can't put my fate up to the test, now
that l am all worked up. Ten to one
when the chance comes again Ill prove
to be a miserable coward" mutters
Mynheer Joe who is developing some
new and singular traits of late.
Mr.. Grimes taps the forefingerI OF
his right hand upon the palm orr his
left, us III to give an eAplessloh anu
force to his words.
"Although this proposal of the bar
ons was apparently couched In ele'
CANT language, there was threat be-
hind 1t. He says
"Whatv cries Joe. "He dares threat
en- Molly, the miserable hound"
Gwen SO. don't know but that
It Is the custom IN his country when
man of the nobility deigns to propose
to one beneath him in their social
rank. The Russians have peculiar
WAYS as well as the Turks and Arabs.
At any rate, this man has nv0Wed 10
make Molly Tanner his wife. ana
means to raise Cain If she Will NOT
consent to become a baroness. lie
seems to consider it an honor to have
asked her, and takes 1t for granted
she will accept In spite of her father
or any one else
II always did say he was conceited
ass. His ears give him away" grins
Joe, whose hands are working nerV'
ously, as though in sympathy with his
feelings. He would give all he ever
expects to handle Of his nncle's es'
tates for the privilege of laying hold
Of that same Baron Popoff at this mo-
ment.
True. But we must not deceive
ourselves. He may be conceited; but,
at the same time, he is dangerous
man"
"Ah! I grant you that. He played
with the sword as I have seen few