Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-12-28

y Anna Katharine resn IF Sa. ""hs ETC., se''..'n


cannot mean IL, MI. DeSfaW!
II grieve-it tears my heart-Miss
Rogers, but l cannot see my duty in
any other light. Remember that this
money must go to another, that ! shall
have to explain to her, if not to the
world, how 1 came to receive 1t back
from one who had publicly held it for
three months"
"If-if you will give it to the little
school teacher - she already knows"
pleaded Jenny. THAT is" she added,
as she saw his look Of astOnishment,
"she knows enough to be satisfied. |
told her that the man expected to
marry exacted the giving up of this
fortune"
ut is not enough
"Why? Why?"
"The world is bitter. exacting. ever
ready to attribute wrong motives to a
man. If receive back this money-a
great amount, you must constantly rec
ollect - society will naturally decide
against my honesty and the purity Of
my intent .ons. 1t will say that made
the gift to you upon the condition that
you married me, and that my taking it
back is in consequence of your failure
TO keep our engagement. For that en-
gagement, short as it was, is known
If honor is dear to woman, 1t IS
equally dear to man. My future hap
piness and high standing are trembling
in ha hO and tho n,pnpnf iS {
serious for me as for you.'
But l will write another letter.
will say that l entreat your re-accept-
ance of this gift. which l find entails
too many duties upon me for my peace
of mind. And this you can show the
world, and when l am married people
will understand. Though l have
wronged you, humiiated you. and
taken from you some of the confidence
you had in my sex. Do not visit my
faults upon me by revenge so deep as
the retaining Of this letter. Indeed, in
deed. it is not necessary. No one will
question your honor when they see
with what reverence regard you"
She was going to say more, but some.
thing in his manner stopped her. Tears
the first she had shed-rose to her
eyes, and she turned slowly away, as if
profoundly humiliated.
"Ah! you think | am not worthy
even to do you reverence she mur.
INJURED.
The piteous action and the still more
piteous words, coming from one so
dainty and exquisitely beautiful,
touched him as nothing else in all this
painful interview had done. Coming
close to her side he took her languid
hand and calmly, for his passion had
all left him, said with affectionate fer
vor:
"God forbid that l should visit any
revenge upon head that humbles it.
self so low. That loved you is true;
that | have suffered in my faith and in
my pride is also true, but would not
thereby raise myself above you. since,
if you have sinned, am not also with
out my faults. as your present attitude
shows. Miss Rogers, | will give you
back your letter, but let me say before
doing so that you will never be blessed
in your marriage with Mr.. Degraw, or
even see an hour of perfect felicity in
his presence unless you allow him to
know its contents before you 60 to the
altar"
"No. No" her looks seemed to cry,
but she said nothing with her lips, un.
less the humble and heartfelt kiss she
pressed upon his hand might be said
to speak.
And now." he suggested. write Inc
the letter you proposed. | will take it
and Immediately return with the other.
Afterward my lawyer will visit you,
and all shall be completed legally and
with as much celebrity as the matter
will permit
"Ahw she exclaimed. with what life
you infuse me. And cannot even eX-
press my gratitude or the thoughts that
fill my mind" And she bounded to a
desk-thc desk at Which she had writ
ten her first letter, and which was in a
second parlor at the back-and rapidly,
as III lllONeu ny Il SoNethilS manu-, III
dited her second epistle.
When Jenny returned with her letter
and bade him read 1t he did so dispas-
sionately and with evident approval.
"This will answer very well. l will
now return to my hotel for the other"
he declared. and left her with low
bow. in which she felt certain respect
expressed that was like balm to her
crushed and bleeding heart
An hour passed before he returned.
Jenny stood in the parlOr ready to re-
ceive him.
"What is 2" she cried, for she saw
at a glance that he was greatly dis
tressed.
"The letter is gone. 1t has been sto
len! cannot find 1t among the docu
ments you returned to me! You have
an enemy somewhere. and that enemy
has your honor in his hand"