Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-08-24

and fame"
"You are right" assented the artist,
baffled by the others GOODNESS, but Tor
an instant shaken in his doubts. Il
had an excuse and if you wish to hear
what it is l must give it. But l would
Gather be excused from offending you,
and would esteem it great favor on
your part if instead of requiring ex.
plantations from me you would consent
| to answer three questions"
"You are moderate in your demands"
sneered the stranger, with curl OF
ais strong lip and flash Of his keen
| eyes. "As the insulted party, I have
certainly the right to refuse them. But
( am something more than an insulted
party: am gentleman and an honest
one; therefore, If you have anything to
ask, ask it. will be brief but straight
forward in my replies"
A cold perspiration started out upon
the artists brow. but he pursued un'
! ninchingly the course into which fate
had led him.
"You will answer questions?" said
be. perhaps, then, you will be kind
enough to tell me whether you came
directly here from Cleveland?"
II did not"
"Have you been staying, then, in
New York and was it from that place
you travelled to this spot?"
"You have said it. have been in New
York, and it was from there came no
later than to-day on the O'Clock ex.
press. Would you like to know what
baggage I brought and what was the
amount Of the fee l gave to the per-
ter?'
81 wish to know nothing but what
vitally concerns myself and the wei.
fare of person dearer to me than my.
self. Miss Rogers"
"Ah"
There was change in the strangers
manner He seemed at once to have
received hint to the mystery of the
! others antaGonism.
rs the bearer" imperturbahly con.
tinued the artist, "of name that has
lately been the mark for peculiar
shafts OF fortune. AS the lady is dear
to me-you will pardon me the self.
revelation given by these words I
have constituted myself the shield to
protect her against the assaults which
have overwhelmed girls of lesser con-
sequence and attainments. If, there.
fore, you have ever spoken to any
other person by the name of Jenny
Rogers do not think you will be al
lowed to speak to this one. If you
have not"
"Sr"' interposcd the other haughtily.
you are a madman. Not speak to
Miss Rogers? Why, if she were your
wife | should address her If | pleased,
that is, If she allowed me the privilege
of doing so. and think she would"
This shaft, which was only too deft.
ly levclod, struck home at once. The
artist recoiled, and stammered some
Intellectual words before he returned to
the attack
Miss Rogers is no judge Of her own
danger" he finally remarked. "If she
We're you might expect less indulgence
on her part
The stranger laughed
"You show an ignorance" he assert.
ed, "both of my nature and the charac-
ter Of my interest in Miss Rogers that
excuses you for much more folly than
you evince in this interview. Danger
does not menace Miss Rogers, that is,
not from me, but If it did. you have
scarcely taken the wisest means to
avert It,"
This was only too true. Carried
away by his feelings the artist had al
lowed himself to 60 further than his
own judgment approved. But to be
told Of it by his adversary was humil-
iating and did not serve to increase his
satisfaction. 1t was, therefore, in
bitter enough tone that he replied:
| 81 have but done as any honest man
would do. have reasons for distrust-
ing you and tell you so. All that
shall add to what have already said
is this: That II grief or any peril comes
to Miss Rogers l shall know where to
look for it's cause. Neither your seem.
ing good breeding nor the dignity
! which invests your person and CONVEX
sation shall save you in that hour from
a revenge that will have not only love
but the law to back it. So beware"
He turned away; the stranger looked
after him doubtfully and took one step
as If to follow him. But this determin-
alton did not hold. and Mr.. Degraw. of
Cleveland. remained silent and un.
moved, while the other passed slowly
down the paths till he reached one Of
the two gates which guarded the
place. There the artist paused, and
his antagonist, convinced that he
would go no further while he himself
remained on the ground, was good ma
tured enough to OF wise enough to turn
away toward the other gate. The
watchful artist. perceiving this, passed
out, and presently the two could be
seen hasting through the street, the
one toward the hotel, the other toward
the neighboring dwelling which held
his rooms.
Would they have passed SO lightly
had they possessed the power Of per.
ceiving the girlish figure that sat be.
hind one Of those open easements upon
which they now turned their backs?
wot not, for in the eager face up
lifted to the moon there was look
which puzzles us and would have puz-
zled them. Was she listening? Was
she dreaming? Was she hoping? Is
1t spell of delight or of apprehension
which holds her enthralled and makes
ber statue of wakefulness amid a