Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-12-29
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
A WOMAN'S VICTORY
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. |. !.
BY A. WIGHT.


4 Der of summer guests at
5 II 8 Cults Head,
Il X Granite Cottage Il long.
H0 low. old fashioned build
ing stood few rods trom the hotel.
and accommodated about thirtr guests,
of whom Dorothy Strctton was one.
Dorothy was at Gull $ Head with
her father and a widowed aunt. who
acted as chapcron.
People said she was the .entieSt.
loveliest girl they ever knew with her
friends and with th" unfortunate. and
that she was like ice for GOODNESS Whnn
she chose TO b".
Oscar Dinsmrre. who had followed
her to Gull's Head. was boarding at
the Excelsior House He was consid
cred a capital fellow" Among his as
sociates; he spent money freely. owned
yacht. drove a handsome pair. was
witty, accomplished, and lad been
nearly everywhere.
This man, who had been battered
and courted enough to spoil most mrn.
was in love with Dorothy. and 81" was
not indifferent TO him. though she en-
deavored 10 be.
He was too bold lover 10 he dannt.
ed. however, and so. one lovely night,
when pale young moon SWING low
over the solemn sea. ana the sound or
tripping feet mingled with the throh
of viol ard corrnt i'll thn hail, he
wrapped a shawl about her. drew her
out upon the balcony, told his story
as he alone could tell it. pasSionntely
and tenderly. aud waited for her reply.
scarcely doubling what ii would he.
He gaZed at her in amazemrnt when
the girls sweet lips syllahled softly:
No
Dorothy! would have sworn that
you loved me- | know you to u" above
trifling with the honest love of any
man!' he cried,
Il think it will make you angry. hut
! must speak, much rs | NniHp your
friendship. | refused your offer 60
night, Mr.. Dinsmore. because know
that you are frittorinc away splendid
manhood and God does not put us into
the world to cultivate the meaner part
of our natures. 1t is All actual sin
for a man of your ability and means
to drift with the tide, MS YOU are drift
ing"
The low vibrant voice died away
upon the cold night air.
Oscar stood before her in confoundcd
silence. hot flush burning his
brow.
And through this thought was the
uneasy consciousness of his own short
Comings.
He collected himself with sudden
effort. and smiled with cold courtesy
as he gave her his arm.
Miss Stretton is pleased to be criti-
CAL" he observed. But ayon blame
from her own lips is an honor Shall
We return?
Il knew you would he angry with
me-" she said, wistfully, just before
they entered the hall; but ! have
spoken only the truth. Your future
lies in your own hands"
For weeks Oscar avoided Dorothy
and lived so recklessy that he became
the talk of all the people at Gull's
Head.
Day by day the girl saw him whirl
ing by behind his handsome thorough
breds with set of mon VINO were glad
to spend his money; or heard his voice
in reckless laughter as he betted in
the bowling alley or billiard hall: aud
not infrequently she saw by his flushed
face and unsteady eyes that hp had
been drinking too freely.
Dinsmore never missed an expression
on the fair pale face when she was
within sight. although he scrupulously
avoided speaking to her. He took q
sort of savage delight in his reckless
course. and in the grave sorrow of the
girls eyes. aud all the while his love
for her grew stronger and stronger il
his heart.
The summer was ended. The first 0t
the September days had come, and Dor
0thy's party were preparing to return
to town. The girl had suffered new
experience, for the pain was too deer
for uninterested eyes to read.
In the six years which followed, il