Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-01-04
erty. you can easily regain it by callin0
at the above address.
Respectfully yours.

All! what narrow escape. Thrust
ing the three letters into her pocket,
. she hurried out, locking the studio
door behind her. Going at once to
- street, she rang the bell Of 81, and
inquired il Mrs. Vandecker was in.
Happily she was, and after few tor
| turing minutes of waiting in the parlOr.
good-looking woman entered. and
quietly greeted her.
II have come" she said, gently, and
with her first conscious effort at acting
part she did not feel. ''fOr letter
addressed to Mr.. Degraw which your
husband is said to have found: am
his intended wife, and wrote the let
ter"
II am sorry" Mrs Vandacker began.
"but Mr.. Degraw has just called for his
property"
"Mr. Degraww
"My husband went out of town this
morning. He met Mr.. Degraw at the
depot, and told him of this letter, aud
where it could he found. Mr.. Degra W
came for 1t Immediately, and it is not
ten minutes since he left here with it
in his hand"
Jenny gave her one look-t1le woman
never forgot it-then she staggered
out Of the house, and wandered dtzzily
away to Hilary's house. All! If the
ground ws.uld only open in mercy and
take her in! She was not worthy of
cumbering it longer. And her steps
grew very languid and her heart very
faint as she drew up at Hilary's steps.
and with difficulty mounted to the
door.
"Oh. if I could fall asleep she
thought, land know no more for
wenks.'
But she had to ring the bell, she had
to enter the door, she had to confront
Hilary. and. in another moment. her
waiting lover.
He was standing in little reception.
room off the parlor. and she felt his
presence before Hilary spoke his name.
But she did not have TO nerve herself
TO meet him. for he was at her side be-
fore she could shake herself free from
the torpor that was gradually benumb.
ing all her faculties.
"You see have come back" he cried
"My mother sends her blessing, and
waits TO welcome you to her heart. Is
that not good news. dearest. and was
1t not worth the waiting, TO feel that
YOU have made two hearts happy, hers
and mine?"
She nodded mechanically. She was
not deceived by his words. Had he
read all the letter or only part? She
dared not lift up her eyes 30 see.
He OWNED her trouble and sought at
once to allay 1t.
Jenny" said he. 'there is a little
matter Oh my mind which it may be
for our happiness to clear away before
we turn our attention to the arrange.
ments for our wedding. 1t is about a
letter."
What letter." she family articu-
lated.
"One written by you-at least it is
signed Jenny and is addressed TO
Hamilton Degraw.' 1t was found "
ing. unsealed, in the street and was
picked up by a gentleman who knew
my name. and evidently my face. for
he picked me out in n crowd today,
aud told me of the occurrence. l have
not read it.
"You have not read it?'
She had forgotten herself. and there
was no mistaking her tone Of absolute
| and overwhelming relief. He dropped
his arms from about her, and a strange
look Of doubt began, for the first time,
| to infuse itself into his expression.
NO. he declared, for I was by no
| means sure that it was meant for me.
Was it, jenny
NO" was her well.nigh inaudible
| answer.
Then, take it, dearest, but" lie
did not say this till it WAS in her hand
81 should like-I should be happier
| II you would give me the privilege of
reading it, do not know why | de-
sire to: perhaps I am getting whims.
| ical. too. but ever since it has been in
my hands | have felt restless and un-
| easy. You had the right to address
| Mr.. Degraw. and | knew, OF course.
| hat YOU had done so: but-call 1t
jealousy or call it lOve-l long to hear
YOU say: Read it, Hamilton, and see
how true my heart was to you II false
( to him."
| "You-shail-read-it The words
| came slowly, each freighted with a
vanished hope. She knew, whether by
| intuition or instinct. that suspicion had
at last been aroused in his heart, and
by her own act. "You shall see it,"
she repeated, more rapidly; but not
! till | am dressed for the ceremony.
VIII you wait till then:"
! There was such n depth OF entreaty
in her voice, such an unearthly CLEAN
in her eye, that he sought for what
| ever word would calm her.
YES" said he. II will wait till you
see fit to show it to me. do not ask
to see it now or ever; only hope that
you will be willing that | should. A
wife is so sacred to her husband. He
wants to feel that she holds no secrets
from him-that all is clear between her
soul and his. Do you understand, my
darling?'
All. yes. she understood. She showed
It by the wistful CLEAN Of her eye
! tho passion of her embrace.
To be continued.