Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-16
CHAPTER XXXY.
FINAL WORDS.


of its inmates was certainly a cause
for much rejoicing, and as most of the
youthful guests who INDUCED in 1t
We're members of wealthy and infuen'
tial families there was but little jeal.
ousy mixed with the universal delight.
That is, no jealousy as regarded her
millions; l will not say as much con-
cerning her beauty or her power over
the hearts of men.
Her two declared lovers did not make
themselves greatly conspicuous. Mr..
Degraw. Of Cleveland, already betrayed
evidences Of wishing to depart, while
the artist, although partaking in her
happiness and pride. was seen but lit
tie by her side. Did her riches awe
him. or was she in one of her .coquct-
tish moods which at once invited and
repclled a lovers attentions. Those
around her could not determine.
Hilary, who was somewhat pale but
very sympathetic, did not enightcn
her guests concerning this matter. She
was bent upon showing her regard to
the donor Of the Delaney Millions per
haps in secret remorse over the grave
doubts with which she had hitherto
regarded him. She read the d,sap.
pointmcnt which mingled with his To-.
lief. and managed to infuSe into her
bearing that gentle respect which is
the surest balm for such wound as
that Under which he secret; labored
Yet no one could ever accuse Hilary of
coquetry, however much he might at
tribute il to her less candid but more
fascinating friend.
But was Jenny Rogers coquettc?
We, who have partially sounded her
nature and circumstances, do not think
so. nor do her glanccs on this impOr-
tant day betoken that she = playing
with the artist or even thinking too
much of her newlv ACQUIRED wealth.
As she sits in he: old place on the
window seat, almost buried under the
flowers which have been thrown at her
feet by her merry companions. She
seems to us the embodiment Of wom-
anly sweetness and beauty. She
smiles. but who could not smile wnen
suddenly raised TO kingdom? Yes,
and she utters mockcries at times, but
ii is not in Gcorn of any true express
sion of feeling but only in dsdain Of
the nearly fulsomp adulation with
which she is now and then addressed.
| She is clad in Il soft clinging robe Of
| pure white silk without any other or
nament than the lace at her throat,
| but she never looked more beautiful,
| nor appeared more brilliant, and TO
| one pair of eyes, at least. never seemed
| more alive with love and feeling. These
eyes We're those of Hilary, who, in the
| JOY she thus saw revealed before her
read the final words of her own hope.
Another person perceived the signor-
| mas burning beauty, and resisted it
| as long as he could but finally SUBJ
mittcd to its charms and passed quick
| ly to her side.
Come" he entreatcd, Il must have
4 few words with YOU before we enter
upon our three months of separation.
| Leave this crowd who have wOrshiped
YOU long enough and if YOU must be
half covered with flowers we will! walk
on the porch where the vines hang
thckest, and / will shake down rose
leaves enough to make a carpet for
your feet
Il care not for roses" she said, and
stood up at his side, a rose herself
| I,nn
the porch it was not of love he spoke,
nor was it flowers he offered her. He
had fear to express and made haste
to utter II.
"Signorina," said he-''pardon me, 1
will not cap you by that name when
can acquire the right to use dearer-
You have never told me why you so
suddenly left the house IN - street"
Taken aback, for she had expected
different words from these. Miss Rog-
ers looked at him with searching and
slightly troubled eyes and murmured:
"Why do you ask me that now? L
was not thinking of anything like
that"
Because you are lost in the pleas
ures of the present, while | am con-
cerped with the dangers Of the past.
Why did you fly from home in those
days; was it because you feared Mon
teli more than you trusted me?
Her head FELL she nodded a quick
Yes, and then as he still stood waiting
exclaimed:
He was bad man. / dared not
linger another day where he could
visit me. One glimpse of his FACE had
been enough to thoroughly alarm me.
[ fled and buried myself in as obscure a
place as l could find. The Portuguese
accompanied me, but l soon came to
fear her also. You had sown the seed
of distrust in my heart, and grew TO
be afraid of every one. So ran away
again and came here"
"Alone"
"Alone. knew that Hilary Aspin'
wall had country seat in this town,
and l hoped she would see and take
pity on me. You will not tell her that
l calculated upon her friendship TO
such an extent, will you?
"Oh, no." he answered, smiling, for
her look was quite piteous in its shame
and entreaty. But Miss Aspinwall
would understand She is so truly
womanly"
II know, I know, but I have some
pride and I acted as if the meeting
were a surprise"
II see. Well, will keep your conf
dence, only you must tell me one thing
more. Did you ever suspect that Mon
telli was not really an Italan?
10 be continued.