Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-07
CHAPTER XX.
Continued.

pride, for it still rebellcd, he hired o
horse, and providing himself with full
sketching material1 rode at once to the
place designated. vt was wild spot
full of ravines and tangled under
growth, but beautiful from the stretch
Of smiling valley and encircling hills
which lay in broad expanse before 1t,
Settling himself upon the highest point
he unpacked his easel. took out his
sketching frame and began to work.
Presently he heard the noise of ap'
preaching wheels, then the sound OF
voices mingled with laughter, and be-
fore he could subdue the restless throb'
bings Of his heart perceived emerging
from the trees below him carriage,
on the front seat of which, side by side
with the man he detestcd sat the eX
uuisite form of the signorina, clad in
costume so simple and yet so coquet
tish that his heart sank even before lie
saw her face.
But when they came nearer and he
could discern the pure joy which illu
mined her feature he felt that there
was no more hope for him, and rising
up he stepped forward and stood.
tall and forbidding figure, on the edge
of the road. up which the carriage was
slowly toiling.
Instantly silence settled on the mer
rymakers beneath. In n stiffness that
was almost oppressive they advanced
and stopped almost within reach of his
arm. whereupon, without any word OF
greeting or any other further show OF
courtesy than profound bow he
turned gathered up his easel and va,
hill took up his position near great
boulder, where he Immediately recon.
menced his work.
1t was direct cut, made with the
rudeness which exists in all great pas
sions. But there was something be.
sides the mere expression of anger in
his action. He had feared to risk al
encounter in which his own emotions
might master him. Better lose his title
of gentleman than break forth in those
eyecrations which We're trembling OH
his tongue Silence and solitude might
restore his eQuanimity. He would at
least give them the opportunity of
doing so, and if by this self-restraint
he drove the signorina to regret the in.
creasing proyOcation of her manner he
his sacrifice.
\ second carriage stopping behind
the first soon added its freight OF
laughing girls to the party already
scattered over the hill top. Then came
a third conveyance, and finally
fourth, which latter held the servants
and such means for the general COM
fort and good cheer as spoke highly OF
the provident care Of their generous
hostess.
The artist saw all, but did not cease
making marks upon his paper He
was schooling himself and learning n
lesson in patience which might some
day stand him in good stead.
It would be tedious for me to relate
all the occurrences of the day. Mr.
btSIiN W dS liDl ltll IobS VII 'h'
hillside, but the one person for whose
coming he eagerly waited did not show
herself at his side. When the meal
was ready he was summoned by Miss
Aspnwall to take seat Mt the I'M
provised table, but he refused in as
courteous tones as possible. and went
on with the picture he was now me-
chanically finishing. When 1t was
done he rose, and seeing his friends
still at luncheon strollcd down the hill.
The consequence was that he soon
found himself at the the mouth of one
of the ravnes with which the place
abounded. Not in the mood for scen-
cry, but caring much for solitude he
was on the point of entering the place
when suddenly he perceived before
him the figures of two persons, one Of
which was so we'll known to his eye
and so dear to his heart that it was
with difficulty he suppressed an ejacu.
lation of astonishment.
1t was the signorina, and with her
was man whose face and form Were
vaguely familiar to him, and yet not
sufficiently so for him to recall his
name or to remember where he had
seen him.
\ little child futtered gleefully he.
tween them, lending an air of limo
cence to the scene and yet the artist
felt strangely put out by what he saw
aud could not refrain from giving an
other sharp look at the person whom
the SgnOrina thus honored by hcl
companiOnShip and was further star
ted by discovering that he was not q
gentleman.
What did It mean? The two were
cOnverSinG int"ntly, too intcntly fol
hir, 20 doubt that the meeting was in
territorial, and yet what stranger co'llt
she know in this place. and what bus.
ness could SO dainty a lady have with {
man Of this stamp? AS he was asI;
ing himself these more than puzzlin
questions the two said some hurrie,
words Of farewell and quickly parted
the man slipping from sight amid tn
bushes, and the signorna passing on
ward down the ravire with the littl
child at her side.
He longed to follow, but felt that i
would be imprudent to do so. Yet |
was impossible to remain quiescen
while the question as to this man
identity remained unsettled. But hov
settle 1t? He saw no better way thar
10 join the party above, and listen 4