Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-08-31
By Anna Katharine resn Author ia. IF s!hs ETC.,
CHAPTER NIN.
SOMETHING MORE THAN A GAME OF
CROQUET.

" uSh tht SpuuS tltiSI sat hON IL I,
breakfast the next morning he found
note lying beside his plate. 1t was
from Miss Aspinwall and was to the
effect that she had written to her
friend Mr.. Morris for precise de-
scription of the gentleman he had been
kind enough to introduce to her notice.
This was satisfactory, and prevented
the artist from sending letter to Mr..
Byrd, as he had contemplated. For
though he had 10 doubt in his own
mind as TO the identity of this stranger
he had no desire to put himself in a
false light in connection with one who
owned so sarcastic Il tongue and held
at the moment such an impvesnahle
position. lie determined. therefore, to
wait and take no measures of his own
till after n reply had been received
from Cleveland. That is unless he
saw signs OF immediate peril menac.nG
his dear one, in which case he would
not write at all, but telegraph
The sound Of croGuet balls clicking
from Miss Aspnwali's grounds gave
him presently all the excuse he needed
for an early visit there. Crossing the
turf he soon found himself within view
of the bright and cheerful picture
which the introduction OF this game
has made so familiar to us. The white
dresses of the ladies, tho velvety YER
dure OF the lawn. the grace OF the ever
varying movement, the eager enjoy
ment, all We're there. But he saw
nothing but n solitary man and woman
hating under the shade of ncighhor-
Ing tree; hc with manly interest per
yadng every feature Of his strong face,
and sine, with corresponding pleasure
irradiating every ineamont and max
ing beautiful every attitude. His rival
from Cleveland had lost no time.
Angry beyond his power to conceal
Hamilton Dcgraw drew back. Not
for him was This place Of mirth and
Joy; not for him the petty civilitics OF
the morning call and tedious and
like this after the appeal he had made
her the night before then she was not
the woman he deemed her: nor was
her regard what he hoped II 10 be-
She was false, ana lie would leave her
only he could not leave her. False or
true, she was the woman he loved,
and he could 10 more 80 aW&y and
leave her under the seductive intlu-
ence OF this incomprchcnshlc stranger
than ne would have surrendered PET
lamb to the paw of wolf He there
fore stopped at a certain scat in til"
middle of the lawn. ard, not caring
whether he was seen or not sat down,
and taking pencil and sketch book
from his pocket, began, to all appear
ance, to draw the scene before him.
Suddenly laughing voice was heard
over his shoulder
"Oh, Mr.. DegraW! What disap-
pontment. l expected 10 see a picture
of hill ana valley, roof and spirc. or at
least q group Of girls circling round
one poor croQupt ball, @nd behold,
only milk white page meets my eye
He turned One of the li@htest.heart.
ed and freshest-tongucl Of the many
gay girls about him stood ut his side.
"Good morning said he You want
to see picture? We'll, wait moment
and will show you one
And without analyzing his motive
or counting the cost Of his impulse he
forced his pencil to travel over the
paper, leaving thereupOn the lines Of 4
countenance that was ut the same tine
both forcible and proud. When he had
finished it he showed it to her.
"Who is it, he asked.
"Why. your namesakc from Cleve.
land" she replied, with mschicvous
tilt of her head. 1T is very good, only
you have not t!attercd him"
~ leave that for the ladies to do" he
gravcly retorted. and with smile she
could not fathom closed his book, put
1t in his pocket and offered her his
arm. You may wish to possess this
some day he laughed tapping sig
niicantly the place whore he had put
the sketch. but remember that you
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