Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-07
D. i.,. V,tL..:,o G,oon II Author OF "The Forsaken
ny Aund hdthdliuo ulVVn, 1nn," Etc.

luncheon table. He therefore hast
ened at once to the top Of the hill, ar
irving there just as the graceful figure
! of the woman he loved appeared in the
far distance, emerging from the group
of huge rocks that lined the ravine
where he had left her.
The welcome he received was a char.
acterlstic one. The glances he encoun.
tered did not linger long upon his face,
but passed almost Immediately to the
distant hill side, up which tho sig2or.
ina and her playful companion wcr,
now clambering. then smiles broke out
on lips which stroye to hide their Sc
cret enjoyment, while looks of curiosity
passed from eye to eye till they finally
fell on the gentlemanly stranger, who
serenely unconscious of what was
going on around him, was making
himself particularly agreeable to Miss
Aspinwall.
The artist sat down, and though lie
helped himself to such vianJs as were
near him his attention could not but
be distracted. For the sgnorina had
reached the hill top and was advancing
toward them with the child still leap
Ing at her side.
"Ah, tardy one" and 80, wandcrer."
were the cries with which she was
hailed, while the gentlemen instinct
lively rose to their feet.
Two only remained seated. Mr.. De
graw, of Cleveland, who was talking
to Miss Aspinwall. am his namcSakc
the artist, who, with eyes fixed upon
the signorina, made a quick gesture to
ward the empty seat at his side. as if
to say:
"Sit here"
She hesitatcd and two bright rcd
spots appeared on her otherwise pallid
checks. Then she dropped her head,
lifted the little child at her side and
set it down in the place he had indi
Gated, murmuring in his ear as she
did so:
II dare not" with the quick addition,
"look under the music box at seven to.
night"
Then she slipped away, and he be-
held her n moment later talking and
laughing at the side Of his hated rival.
What did 1t mean? Had she herself
become aware Of her danger. and was
she only playing part with the man
she dreaded? 1t did not look exactly
like it. There was the true ring OF
feeling in her voice when she an
swered some chance question of hc1
companion, and If she did not trust
him she had certainly every appear.
ance of doing it. Yet her voice had
quivered with carneStncss when she
spoke to the artist, and. perpleXed az
he was he could not but look forwarj
with the greatest anxiety to that houl
Of seven, which promised to solve his
difficulties.
He did not linger long after luncheon
He was too distracted to be good
company for any one, and he consid
cred that In justice to the others he
ought to withdraw. He therefore took
his leave of Miss Aspinwall with "
much checrfulncss as he could master
and hastening to where his horse was
tied proceeded to mako his prepara
tions for departure. AS he did so he
saw two men in the bushes before him
one Of whom he recognized us Miss AS
pinwall's butler and the other as the
man he had perceived talking with the
signorina in ravne. Startled at the
sight, he waited till the two had parted
then approached the butlerand inquired
who the person was with whom he hat
just been speaking. The answer con
irmcd his worst fears
ooh. that Is MI Dcgraw's man. The
other Mr.. Degraw l mean. He came
with us to look after the horses"