Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-14
A., c... 4 Author Of "The Forsakcn
AHA kdlHdTluc uTten, lnn," Etc.

| ,f him. He would rather forego the
| interview.
| But Just as he was about to turn
away he caught sight of her face gaz
ing from an upper window, and though
there was nothing in her countenance
to show that she saw him he stopped
In delight, and gave her one long look,
In which was concentrated all his
hopes and fears. The next moment he
ground his nails into his palms in an,
ger, for he perceived that her tender
face was bent over basket Of flow
ers, and that she was kissing them
With passionate fervor. Oh. was 1t
FOR this he had come back? Was his
exile to be made unbearable by this
revelation of secret rapture over gift
bestowed by his fraudulent rival? 1t
was thought too bitter to be cher
shed Whatever sacrifice he might
hereafter be called upon to make. he
could not and would not stand on one
side at this critical moment
Making his way rapidly to the front
steps he mounted them and passed
bowling and smiling through the crowd.
Taking up his stand in the hall beside
a table we'll covered with books and
PAMPHLETS he waited for her coming
down the broad, oaken stair. Would
ler step patter trippingly from step 10
step, or would it drag lingeringly down
rs if weighted with hopes or hamp-
,red with fears? He had an imme-
iiate opportunity to judge, for almost
before he had settled himself Into the
shadow he coveted he heard the expec-
rant sound, and 1t was as lingering as
he could wish and as soft as was the
rustic of the silken garments that ac-
,ompanied It,
Summoning up all his courage h.
passed round to the foot of the stair
and met her just as she was setting
ler foot on the last step.
"Signorina, forgive me-" he began,
and then grew dumb for her breast
was ornamented with the hateful bios
SONS of his rival.
You have not read my note"
He looked up at her face; her eyes
expressed terror; she glanced over his
head at the front door and back into
the recesseS above her.
"Havc you read it," she persisted.
eyes, and will obey If you assure
me that your dismissal is final; that
you take these means to rid yourself
Of sutor whose importantly is un-
welcome. But-O don't caress those
flowers" he exclaimed breaking into
his own words as he saw her fingers
spread lovingly over the blossoms fast
nncd in her bosom. even it their Civ
~ were tho man he seems IT would be
IN intolerable sight to me. AS it iS----"
''Sir, did not you send me these flow
ars?"
"NO."
She turned pale. then red and raised
her hand rs if to tear the blossoms
away.
II thought you did" said she.
The words. the tone raised him into
Niic 'NNNiltll Vll VI tltllSllt. Iidi
he not been conscious that more than
one pair of eyes We're resting upon
them he would certainly have caught
her by the hand and uttered thous-
and passionate protestations. But the
hour was not propitious for love max
ing. Besides she looked restless and
Danted with impatience.
"Mr. Dcgraw's man brought them
here. I should have thought the do
nor's name would have appeared upon
hem"
at was. but | only thought of YOU
They Were lying on the window seat.
rou see. Oh, Mr.. Degraw, will you not
leave me-? Indeed, am in earnest
when | beg you to do so. Though it
seems cheerful and innocent as para
disc before the fall there is death in
the air. and you will be the object OF
it"
"Signorina, were that death rs near
me now as you are | would not move.
That you remain Is enough for me.
How could you think would go after
learned that the shadow of danger
rested over these walls?'
"But / am not menaced; oh, why
will you not believe me! See, l en-
treat.'
She put her two hands together, then
stopped to wiring them, for his look
was immovable.
"Do not call the attention OF the
.thers." he demonstrated "Ws ~.
not wish to frighten them or even TO
anlighten them as to the importance
Of the matter we are discussing"
Then as he saw her hands drop de-
spairingly at her side, he added ''But
You alarm yourself unnecessarily if it
is my safety you regard. I cannot
think that ! am in any real danger,
cor can | think that you regard me as
being So"
Her eyes flashed wildly and with an
ncomprehensibe expression to his
face.
"Why do you say that?" she de-
manded.
Because you send me away. Be
cause you encourage cowardice in a
man who has not. to my knowledge,
betrayed any great evidences of pusil
animity. If you thought this other
DcGraw as great william as your
words imply, you would be asking for
the protection of the police instead of
trying to beguile him from his inten-
tions by the frankest and most con-
iding Of smiles"
"Y0u do not understand" she pant