Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-16
CHAPTER xxx.
Continued.

I'VE uo,' was MI. DeSraW earnest
reply; mot only to expires our pleasure
at your providential escape, but for
another purpose, which, if unexpected
to you, will, l hope, relieve you from
- all further danger of any such scenes
as startled you and the rest Of this
house last night. You have never
been able to conjecture, l dare say,
why you and others of your name have
been subjected to perils and distresses
of no ordinary nature?'
"No," she rejoined, glancing askance
at the artist. II have recognized the
fact but not attempted to account for
It. Can it be that you can tell me-?
II certainly can, Miss Rogers. 1t is
because wicked woman and Il still
more wicked man have banded togeth-
er to prevent the consummation of n
certain act by which a great property
Is to be handed over to the young girl
who Is fortunate enough to fulfill in
her own person certain definite condi-
tions. One of these conditions is that
she shall have been chirstened by the
name of Jenny Rogers"
"Ah" she exclaimed. shrinking back
In surprise and possible dsmay. THAT
is my name, but you do not mean-you
cannot mean-"
He interrupted her with smile.
Pardon me-" said he, "but | do.
When I told you that you need not
consider yourself in any further dam
ger of personal violence from these
persons l meant that you were the chO
sen one among these girls. and that
you are no longer simply a possible
heiress to this money, but its real pos
SCISSOR. There is, therefore, no longer
any motive remaining for infiicting in
Jury upon you, since your death would
no longer benefit these conspirators,
but your heirs. Do you understand
me, Miss Rogers?"
understand" she murmured. "You
overwhem Inc. I the possessor of
money? Whose money? And what
have done to earn it, and what is ex-
pected of me in return for it,"
Nothing is expected of you" grave
ly returned Mr.. Degraw. at is yours
only through the whim of man now
dead VIII you hear his story? 1t
may help you to realize why | should
be the chosen medium of his gencr-
osity."
Il should be glad" she responded,
"but everything swims before me. /
have never had anything pleasant hap
lnf Il TO lno ~
isn't it?'
Her child-like look, her utter amaze
and winning helplcssness told upon
two hearts there with almost equal
power, but the artist sat silent.
though he could not forbear letting
his heart speak through his eyes. The
other spoke, but his tone was studous-
ly friendly rather than lover-like.
YES" he replied, ''it is pleasant, be-
cause. though have the honor to hand
you this deed, by means of which, the
moment it is signed you will be made
the owner of three million dollars
worth of property, there is nothing in
this beQuest, nor in your acceptance
Of it, which should cause a blush to
rise to your cheek or to mine. 1t is
simply gift made by n childless man
to the woman who bears the name and
possesses some OF the characteristics
of the being he most loved"
"Oh," she cried, with flushing
check, "wil not some one call Hilary?
do not know how to bear such good
fortune alone. Three millions! Why,
1t is Incredible! I almost refuse to be-
lieve it,"
perhaps this gentleman will help
you to do so," he smiled, indicating the
stranger who had accompanied him.
This is Mr.. Walden, Miss Rogers.
He is lawyer, and will explain to you
the technicalities of this matter"
She bowed abstractedly. She was
looking at the deed which had been
handed to her, and scarcely seemed to
hear this introduction.
but this immense gift is made out
in your name," she declared. '1Iow is
that? You are not the donor of this
vast amount Of money"
He smiled reassuringly, but to his
rivals watchful eyes there was sad
ness in his smile, as there were evi-
dences Of growing encouragement in
his whole manner.
'No" he assured her. II am not the
donor; the gift is made through me,
but not by me. Let me tell you my
story before We 60 any further. Miss
Aspinwall can hear it later; you alone
are concerned in it now" And draw
ing her to seat he took his place by
her side and began his relation in Ian
guage similar to that which he had cm-
ployed in making his disclosures to
the detective the night before She
listened with wide open eyes, that ever
and anon filed with tears. of which
she seemed unconscious, and when he
he'd finished her head sank in thought.
full reverie on her breast and remained
In this position so long that Mr.. De
graw made a gesture to the lawyer
which caused him to quietly leave the
room. AS soon as the door had closed
upon him the former ventured to take
her hand and say, with visible emo
ton:
IL sought you out in the first place
Miss Rogers, solely for the purpose
which is revealed by this story l have
just related. But in studying you char.
acter have learned to love you. and
only refrain from making you the pro.
pogals which lie near to my heart from