Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-23

return with her. You had better not
tell Connie anything Of what you have
seen and heard to-day.
assured my aunt l would do so; and
having wished her well out of her vex.
ations, departed for Orange.
CHAPTER xxx.
CONCORD.
Such scenic beauty as the United
States of America can boast-and 1t is
of wide extent and infinite variety
owes everything to nature, nothing to
man. American cities, almost with
out exception, consist of unpretentious
buildings disposed in square blocks, so
that wherever the gaze Of the urban
pedestrian is directed, his eye is met
by montonous right lines OF avenues
and streets. The feverish pursuit, the
worship, of the almighty dollar which
animates the majority of tho American
people, killing the artistic instincts in
herited from their progenitors and
leading them to cOntemn Beauty and
defy Utility, has resulted in little or
nothing to make city life tOlerable.
Everywhere In the new world the trav-
eler is confronted by advertisements
of appalling dimensions and hideous'
ness. Liberal minded American who
have travelled protest against such
wanton outrages on good taste more
loudly even than the stranger; but
they see no way to its suppression.
Notwithstanding my eager haste to
see and speak with my dear Constance.
could not refrain from pausing a brief
space to contemplate the delightful
home where the infancy Of my promised
wife and her sister had been passed.
The cottage, constructed Of wood,
was Of low elevation, but covered much
ground; it was designed with fantas.
tic irregularty; windows and doors of
strange pattern and diverse size ap.
pearing at the most unexpected angles.
The cottage was sheltered ut the back
by wide semicircle of large, closely
planted trees, whose foliage had now
assumed the beautiful golden tint of
autumn, while along it's front ran n
commodious piazza, shaded with white
to the sun-scorched lawn, or view the
fine prospect between it and the foot
Of Orange Mountain. In this situa.
tion it is difficult to realize that the
great city of New York lies so nearly
as thirteen miles eastward; but so 1t
is. However, did not give much con.
siderati0n to that circumstance, but
having admiringly regarded that part
of the ncighborhood within my view,
1 entered the grounds Of Belle Vue
Cottage. The heaviness of spirit,
born of my painful experience that
morning, had quite passed away, and
was elated by the prospect of present.
ly accompanying one to gain whom !
had suffered 50 much. My presence
being challenged at no point by either
closed gate, servant, or dog, l ap'
preached the steps which led up TO
the piazza; and there, 20 my intense
delight, | discovered my loved one re.
clining in Il hammock of netted silken
cords. AS usual with her, she was
dressed very plainly, entirely in white,
which greatly enhanced her natural
gracefulness of figure and feature as
she lay, all unconscious of my ad-
miring gaze, her delicate cheek resting
upon one hand, while with the other
she grasped the book that absorbed
her attention.
"COnEe.'
The startled fair one dropped her
book and looked at me with an eX-
preston of joyous surprise.
$50 you have come at last, dear"
she exclaimed, as l assisted her to
descend from the hammock, for which
service, before it was half rendered,
l paid myself with a kiss. ''Why,
what long time you have been away!
I began to fear l should never see or
hear from you again.
THAT could hardly be and l were
alive, my own little pet; but you will
remember 1t was agreed between us
that | was not to write or telegraph
unless my mission TO England sue
'ceeded. am sorry to tell you it has
failed utterly, and my fortunes, what.
ever they may prove to be, are to make.
Never again will | reject tho advice of
my OVID Connie"
Not until the next time, you mean;
or until you weary Of me" amended
Constance, pouting.
"Oh my darling, that can never be-"
Make no rash. assertions, my dear
Ernie, and so perhaps escape broken
vows My sister, worthier far than |
but have you seen poor dear Gertie?
How did you know where to find me?'
81 left aunt and uncle at Windsor
Hotel not more than an hour ago.
They are good friends now, | am
happy to say, and | have this very
morning had positive proof that the
cause Of their estrangement is now
fully removed. AT their request l have
come to fetch you to New York, and