Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-03-08
CHAPTER TX.
RECALLED TO SUFFOLK.


AS soon as breakfast was over un-
Gle Sam left his house to go to Capel
Court, aunt Gertrude retired to her
room to attend to her correspondence,
and Miss Marsh and were left alone.
. "Where shall we 60 this morning,
Ernest?" asked Miss Marsh; II am
led Of the park, and we have driven
/over Kensington more than once"
Miss Marsh had lately learned to
address me as Ernest, which had
greatly delighted me, and determined
me henceforth to call her Constance.
"Whichever way you please, but If
Richmond. We have plenty Of time"
l said, consulting my watch, lit is
barely 10 o'clock, and we do not lunch
till 2. was never there, but l have
often heard that Richmond is the most
beautiful suburb Of London"
by all MEANS" replied Miss Marsh;
II will order the carriage and get
ready at once" And she rose instant
ly and tripped lightly from the room.
American ladies prepare their tot
lettes with despatch quite unknown
to their English sisters, though Ger.
tainly with no less care and elabora.
tlon, and l had only written telegram
to my father, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of his letter and promising to re-
ply to 1t that evening. when Miss
Marsh again entered the room fully
equipped for drive, no button OF her
glove being left for me to fasten.
looked up at her with some sur.
prise "You are soon returned" OBJ
served.
"Too soon" she asked, fixing upon
me her steadfast eyes.
"No, how could that be-" said. and
I drew her arm through mine and led
her downstairs.
"Good morning, Mr.. Ernest" ex-
claimed q voice belonging to tall
form which stood in the shadow Of
the hall door; II am fortunate in not
having just missed you," and turning
round l beheld the Rev. DR.. Evan
Price.
pray, don't let my unexpected pres
ence startle you," continued the Vicar
of Holdenhurst Minor; u bring no III
news. Being summoned to London on
business which may end in my ap-
pointment to the curacy of All Souls
North BriXton, your father has asked
me to call here to say that he would
like you to return home at once for a
day or so. He would like you to catch
the train which leaves st. Pancras at
11.45, and travel via Cambridge"
This information annoyed me great.
ly. I could not find it in my heart to
keep away from my father when he
desired my presence though to forego
my visit to Richmond with Miss
Marsh was bitter disappointment to
me. For q moment stood In doubt
how to act.
"Of course you will Co." remarked
Miss Marsh.
II fear must" J. replied. in voice
which but i'll concealed my veXation,
"but will return tomorrow or next
day at latest l am sorry to leave you
In this abrupt manner, and l am sure
my father would be the last to desire
such thing without very good reason
for It."
We adjourned to the drawing room,
whittier Miss Marsh invited Mr.. Price
to accompany us, an invitation which
he accepted with great promptltude
and courtliness. He was man of
fine presence and considerable tact,
gifted with the power of talking inter-
minably but interestingly about every
thing in general and nothing in partic-
ular. Indeed, nothing was more ad-
mired by the feminine world Of the
two Holdenhursts than the genial af-
fability Of the Rev. Evan Price. This
handsome and gallant cleric had not
been in the house ten minutes before
learned that he was to have an inter
view with the Bishop of London at
Fulham at 3 o'clock, until which hour
he was at leisure (Which being inter.
preted signified that he intended to
stay until them); that after the said
Interview he would return to pay his
respects to Mr.. Samuel Truman-in
other words that he would come back
to dinner. When l quilted the draw
ing-room, leaving Mr.. Price and Miss
Marsh together, I was more depressed
than had ever been before and half
regretted that had not decided to re.
main. l felt like runner who, hav.
ing kept ahead Of his competitors In
long race, faints when near the goal
and sees the prize he regarded as his
own seized by other hands. l am al
most ashamed to record how the tears
started to my eyes, but l forced them
back, summoned all the courage OF
my nature-not at that time very much
and after q severe mental struggle
fell into strange mood compounded
of pride and fierceness.
1t was with some difficulty that
contrlved to speak to Miss Marsh alone
efore left, but succeeded in dolne
so, and again assured her of my regre
at the unexpected interruption of oul
arrangements, and / laid special EN-
phasis on the great pleasure 1t woult
give me to return to Kensington at the
earliest possible moment, at the same
time desiring her to inform my uncle
and aunt Of the hasty summons hat
received from my father.
Miss Marsh was as gracious to me
a. the most exacting lover could ex