Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-07-19
Continued.
CHAPTER XNIII.

SoullauSus
These observations convinced me
that uncle Sam had that morning de-
ceived me when he had so jauntily as
serted that old Mr.. Wolsey could tell
his wife nothing which she did not al.
ready know. l was not, however. SO
much interested in that consideration
as in the disquietude of Constance,
and in hope that might be able to
comfort her, my aunt had no sooner
taken up her position by the piano than
crossed over and occupied the seat
she had just vacated.
The attention of the company was
wholly bestowed upon the singer. and
the sound of another voice. though but
in whisper. would have been rightly
regarded as an ill-mannercd Interrupt
ton. Though could not for the mo-
ment speak to my fair one, was able.
even in that public situation, to press
her little hand In mine with a signitl-
canoe which was not misunderstood.
Aunt Gertrude was followed by sew
eral other singers of various degrees
of merit, but all alike in so far as they
prevented conversation between Con-
stance and me, nor could l find any
convenient opportunity to interrogate
her until we wcrc again on board the
Iroquols Fortunately l had not long
TO wait for this, for the river being q
slow way to return to New York City
it was decided that we should leave
Tarrytown early. We We're no sooner
on board than my aunt, whom l sus-
pect partly understood the aspect of
affairs, withdrew to the cabin to re.
sumo her book leaving Constance and
l to do as we would. The evening
being delightfully."- fine and cool, and
the sky an unfathomable blue studded
with innumcrablc stars, to say moth
ing of other reasons, of course we pre-.
ferred to remain upon deck.
Notwithstanding my impatience to
know precisely how Constance was af.
fccted by the information she had
gained from Mr.. Fuller's letter to Mr..
Price, we were seated closely together
for several minutes before | vcnturcd
to ask her, and when did 50 my ques.
tion received no reply, but hot tears
fell upon my hand. | was painfully
surprised and uunervcd by this incl.
dent, and knelt down beside the dis.
tresscd girl, saying | know not what,
but doing all in my power to comfort
her After Il little while she became
more composed and looked at me stead.
lily.
"My sister must never know of this"
she said; sit would kill her"
"Must never know of whatT asked.
"Of the co7tents Of that letter Mr.
Price showed me-"
II have not read that letter, but
fear | know what you refer to-" l an.
swered
"Your words confirm the letter.
feared it was true as read 1t. Poor
dear Gcrtic! and she is such loving
wife, and has such unboundcd admira.
tion of her husband. Can it be that
al men are falseT
mo, darling. it cannot, but | confess
l greatly fear there are many such
Speaking for myself, | swear by tho
sky above and the water beneath, and
by the great Being who created them
BOTH that you are the only woman ]
have ever desired; that If you will be
mine and faithful to me. according to
your promise ana my belief, am
yours and yours only, till die. with
your faith in mankind thus rudely
shaken, and knowing that must leave
you tomorrow not TO see you again
for at least a month. can YOU trus
meY'
Constance looked up at me, and thl
tears in her eyes glistcncd in the star
light as she softly replied:
Il will trust you"
| caught the dear girl in my arms
and pressing her face to mine, for the
first time restOwed upon her lips
What is this am writing? This viii
never do. On reading this page II
really impresses ME as more like q Leaf
from a novel than passage from the
memoirs of middle aged English
squire.