Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-23
EDERICK COUNTY, MD. 23, 1905.
occupied with this picture. / could not
have lived all summer without sight

occupied with this picture, / could not
have lived all summer without sight
of her face"
81 am sorry" Byrd began, weighing
his words very carefully, "that she is
so rich-a woman"
The others brow knitted.
80 am l."
"You had rather she had not had this
money?'
much rather
"Yet you will not let it stand In your
way?"
"Not if she loves me-"
Don't you know whether she does
or not?"
"No, Byrd"
81 thought it was quite evident that
day in June when We were all together
| in Great Darlington"
Eyes, but that is three months ago.
| She has been to Saratoga since, and to
| Mount Desert and Newport. She has
| had the homage of hundreds even had
| an offer from an English peer-or SO
| the papers say. Do you think her like
! ly to remain unchanged by such marked
and continuous adulation"
The detective looked embarrassed,
but answered him quite gravely.
IF she is the woman you believe her
to be nothing would be likely to
| change her. But"
He hesitateu So long that the artist,
who really experienced certain re.
| lief in making these condolences, felt
irritated, and finally asked:
| "What do you mean by that but,
Byrd? Have you any reason to think
she is not true woman? Have they
been talking scandal about my dar.
ling"
"Far from it," was the quick reply.
| "She is universally commended. PeO-
pie note her grace, her gcntleness and
her dignity, and wonder if it was Ier
study for the stage which has made
| her so fitted to sustain the part of a
grand lady. No. she has but few de.
| tractors so far as | have been able to
| learn, and l have taken occasion to
hear the talk about her, for was inter,
| ested in seeing how her nature would
, bear the strain of such good fortune"
"But that but" What did you mean
| by it? 1t sticks in my ears
"Yes, l made Il mistake in using it,
especially as | cannot really say why |
did So Perhaps because the usual risk
| there is in marrying woman of so
much wealth is aggravated in her case
| by the suddenness with which she ac-
quired it"
THAT wrCtched money!
"You klIow, Degraw. 1nat l am not a
| light-hearted fellow; that | look at
things seriously, and that | regard love
| and mutual regard rs the only good
| foundation o. marital happiness.
| Therefore. when | warn YOU to be
| careful and make sure of this WOMAN
| before you place your honor and hap
| pineas in her keeping | am but acting
a friends part TO you. | should 81
hate to see your fame and the serenity
| of your life sacrificed to IA capricious
or selfish woman
"Thcy will not be. If she marricS
| me at all it must be because she loves
me. | have painted pictures, but
I am not yet first in my art. and men
more eminent tAan myself have done
| her homage
Byrd shook his head and wheeled a
portable mirror suddenly in front OF
tie artist
Every man does not look like that"
| he remarked, pointing 20 his friends
reflection in the glass. "She undoubt
edly loves you, but There is that
miserable 'but' again" he laughed
| II DO not wonder you are angry. AnI
!uaNierablc, Know
The artist looked greatly diScom
| posed, bat it was not exactly with an
ger. If Bryd's objections We're uneN'
| pccted and calculated to wound his
kecnrst susrcptibiltoy, the manner in
which they Were urged was SO candid
and sympathetic that more irascibi,
| man than DrgraW would have hcSi.
tatcd before taking otf"nS". IT WAS
fear which had been aroused in him
by his companions words. OF rather
dread. The future, which had looked
50 rosy an hour ago. was becoming
darkrnCd by shadows he neither TN
| dorStoOd nor welcomed.
You have heard something against
Miss Rogers" lie finally affirmed, "ant
| are trying to break it to me"
But Horace Byrd shook bis head.
"No," he declared. you are mistaken
All that | have heard is IN her favor
[ have absolutely nothing TO urge
against her. l only wish YOU 10 TX
careful, and 70 blind yourself to hel
| beauty and lie" wealth til YOU know
the depths Of Il nature that may wei
have been greatly tried by this Sudd"l
good foituno. Is it asking too much
Am | transErcSsing the hounds oi
friendship, or obtrudinG 90 much Of &
detectives caution into the impetUous
artists affections?"
Hamilton DCgraw did not immediate
| ~ answer. He was engaged in drop
ping 4 curtain over the exquisite pic
turp OF the signorina. which he ma!
have Thought was being robbed OF
some Of its sacrcdnc&s by this free
Talk concerning its beautiful original
When it was quite hidden he spoke.
10 he continued.
| Ig