Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-08-10
CHAPTER XIV,
CAG--1

The look which had filed the signor.
mas eyes when Hamilton Degraw
spoke to her of God reappeared in
them at these words of her generous
hearted friend. But she did not let 1t
become visible as she had before, but
turned her face away toward the wide
stretch of beautifully undulatinS coun'
try which lay before them.
perhaps that is true she assented
but there was not so much trust rs
fear In her tones. II am sure" she
went on in haste. as if anxious to
cover up any momentary disappoint
ment which might have been occa'
stoned by her manner, that If you
knew my position you would think |
needed friend. am not only with
out an adviser. but l am threatened
by q danger
81 know, | know
"You know
Eyes. You will pardon me, sig
norma, but"
Don't call me 'SignOrina'; call me
Jenny That is my true name. and
I should like to hear it from your
lips"
''You shall. know. then, Jenny,
that you have reason for dread. That
because of this very name. you feel
that you have reason to fear But
YOU will be safe here. No one shall
know that you possess this name
which just now seems to he the mar
hinger of persecution and peril Be-
sides"
"But I would rather not conceal the
fact that it is mine. There Is cow
ardicc in doing so which is not agree
able to me. Perhaps, because | am
the victim of another cowardicc which
1 cannot suppress. Since have failed
as a singer, the word 'signorina' gals
me almost beyond endurance. l hate
its very sound. and long to hear my.
self called again by my childhood's
name. Do YOU think there is any
harm in yielding to this preference!
Would you mind introducing me to
your friends as Miss Rogers?'
"Not at all: why should mind 1t If
you do not? But il seems like giving
up your old hope entirely, and |, for
one. still think you will reap the hon
ors to which your voice entities you.
l have a scheme
"Oh. do not talk of schemes. dear
Miss Aspinwall. Let us rest without
thought of the morrow in this para
disc of sunshine and vcrdure | have
never seen anything so delightful as
this place before. 1t is an experience
for me to be here; let me enjoy it ana
forget, if | can. that the world holds
any other riches treasures or rewards.
The little bird sings swcctly; if | were
free as he and had the earth and
heaven for my home, | could sing too.
l wish l We're bird, how my throat
would swell. | can almost fancy in
this solitude that l am. DO you think
any one would hear if l.
"Oh. oh, do sing. Just an aria,
Jenny. Hark, the little fellow is urg-
ing YOU OH. Surely you can rival his
notes"
The sicnorina smiled An exquisite
color broke out on her checks, and she
looked so lovely that the noble woman
at her side was filled with admiration.
Then without further words, and as If
impellcd by an inward enthusiasm she
could no longer resist, she opened her
lips and song issued forth, so pure, so
sweet and 80 cntrancing that the little
bird who had previously filled the ST.
lencc with his voice stopped in amaze
and bent his head to one side as If in
nlliry as to the source of such de-
lightful melody.
The spot occupied by the summer
house in the large and amply culti-
vltcd grounds was somewhat removed
from the dwelling. Perched on slight
knoll it commanded view of much or
the country around, and for this rea-
son was a favorite spot of resort for
Miss Aspinwall, who had an eye for
all that was beautiful and a heart for
this especial scene beyond all. But it
had ore drawback. But few feet
away ran the fence which marked off
her property from that Of her next
neighbor, and as that neighbor took
boarders she never felt herself quite
safe in this place from intrudins eyes.
Thus it was that, when the signor-
ina began to sing Miss Aspinwall let
her glances travel in the direction of
this fence and the winding walks be-
yond. but seeing no one gave her full
attention to the song which was being
carolcd for her and the birds. 1t was
melodiouS as heart could wish or taste
exact. and she was drinking in the
mellow notes with delight when sud
denly, without warning, the soaring
notes trembled and fell. and glancing
IN haste ut her companion she bchcld
her sitting petrificd with amazcment.
gazing into the nelghborinS garden
Following her look she was herself
surprised to perceive man standing
before them, returning gaze for gaze
and that with an intensity Whlcf
proved he had not been unmoved by
the song he had overheard She
Thought, at first glance, that she die
not know this man, but in another mo
ment she recognized him for the art
ist who had interrupted her IN he
work of strewing flowers over the sig
norma on that memorable Afternoon
of her supposed death,
Instantly she showed as much feel
Snp as the woman at her side had done