Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-23
by ReBHRr BoNNER's Sons.

pNloiC We Nth ISstNh 'lt Wy thNS NiAA
be once more in their own home, if
indeed they are not already there,
awaiting u.s."
"Thank Heaven for that! My most
ardent wish is accomplished. There"
continued my young lady, reading the
faintest possible reproach in my eyes,
don't look at me like that l welcome
you with my whole heart, and will
commit my life and I'll that is mine
in your keeping. as l promised you
l would; but oh. Ernie, can never
think so we'll of men, or Of women
either, as once l did"
"DTss Connie, that is only another
way Of saying that your experience
Is wider than 1t was-the reason why
old people are so skeptical. But bad
as the world is, there are always
faithful few; and l hope you will be-
lieve me one of them until you find
that I am not"
Here my innocent, artless lover threw
her arms around my neck. Il will be-
lieve you, my own dear Ernie she
cried, Though to do SO We're to haz
ard all. You bring good news, greatly
more welcome to me than the discovery
Of any number of treasure chests"
II am as rejoiced to bring the good
news as you are to receive it; but at
the same time l confess | am much
disappointed in the other matter.
There are now only two things which
prevent my perfect happiness-but in
the heaven of your companonShip l
shall forget them both. l would have
liked my fortune to have been some
thing greater than l can carry in my
pocket, and regret my estrangcmcnt
from my father
"The first is not worth thinking of.
There are not many New York girls
With more dollars than my Gather left
to me. We shall not want for any
thing. Th4 second can be removed.
l have never seen your father; but if
were to go to IAN after we ara lar-
ried and ask him il he would like TO
see my husl and. all his jove for his
son would return-that is to say, ii it
has ever loft lin, which | much
doubt"
Connie, you a1e a jewel Was ever
man so happy as ~
"Many a one. and gone ont of his
way to te'mDnate his happiness. |
have just hr.n reading-uo, | will not
tell you what it is | have been read,
Ing"
please let ne see the book for II
moment" pleaded.
Not for the world" exclaimed NY
wilful charmer, breaking from my
embrace And hastily picking up the
volume from the floor, where few
moments before she had allowed it TO
fall, with merry laugh Connie
tripped lightly from the room.
l could not pursue her, for being un-
acquainted with the geography of the
house, | knew not into what trespass
| might be tempted.
Not many minutes elapsed before
Miss Marsh rcappearcd with her maid,
both dressed for walking. Comics
pretty face, almost hidden beneath Il
wide-brimmed straw hat, appearing
like Il beautiful miniature in large
frame.
"Now. Ernest, dear, am ready to
accompany you
| drew close to Connie and spoke
softly to her.
"Valerie," said Miss Marsh, turning
to her maid, this gentleman has been
so rude as to say that he would pre-
fer to be without your company. You
will please start for New York in about
an hour"
The French girl smiled and graceful
ly disappeared, murmurng something
which sounded like "Rien nest beau
que le vrai."
The journey from Orange to New
York | still remember as one of my
most delightful experiences, surpass-
ing even that trip Oh my uncle's yacht
when Constance first promi3ed to be
mine. / could not fail to remember
that upon that to me, happy occasion,
my dear one was distressed by an af-
fair the termination of which now re-
joiced her. Indeed, l now began TO
doubt if there could be found within
the borders of the American Union
any lighter hearted lovers than we two;
and l congratulated myself on my
prospect of charming wife, the for
tunate possessor of every esteemed at
tribute of that character.
On reaching my uncle's house we
were welcomed by aunt Gertrude, in
whom, Notwithstanding her more than
usual reserve. | thought | could de.
tect a sense of satisfaction, not to say
of suppressed jubilancy. Uncle Sam
not being present, | inquired where lie
was.
"On the roof enjoying cigar re-
piled aunt Gertrude; he wishes you
to 90 up to him as soon as you con,
veniently can
"Go now, Ernie dear" whispered
Constance; Il would like to talk to
Gerte for an hour" and the next min.
ute | was standing before uncle Sam
breathless from the haste with which
had mounted the stairs.
$50 Annie would not listen to you"
were my uncles first words.
"No; but how did you know thatT
| asked, astonished.
II saw from the window how she
received you. But she spoke, think.
What was it she saidW