Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-30
byH sBERr, BoNNER's Sons.

=, w nat luedu, SpiicAuA ASho" N
Price is, to be sure!" exclaimed Con-
stance. II never liked the expression
Of that mans face, nor his manner. but
l am surprised he should write such
a letter as that. What good can he
hope to get from it|'
Don't you see, dear. how much he
would like to separate us? l have al
ready told you the facts upon which
he has based this letter."
"Yes, Ernest, and please don't tell
me again. I'm afraid I'm 4 little tired
of speaking and thinking about these
gs"-alluding to the scquins which
she was turning round and round with
her delicate white fingers. but SUP
pose Mr.. Price could separate us, how
would that benefit him? Kc knows l
would not marry him in any case.
have told hiu 50 in plail words many
q time"
"Spiteful and mischicvous as the man
Is, don't in the least doubt, Lay dear
Connie, but that he loves you as sim
cerely as his nature allows him to
love. Indeed, 1t is difficult to conceive
of any man not loving you who has
once seen you, and 1t is the quality OF
never to entirely despair of achieving
its object until that object is irrevoca.
bly lost. This letter was written yes.
terday. 50 by now Mr.. Price Is on his
way to England. Before he reaches
Liverpool you will be my wife. and
when he learns that fact perhap9 he
will cease to interest himself In our
affairs. Only six days! Fancy that,
pet"
Eyes, fancy it! How sudden 1t has
all been! I am in disgrace with my
friends for desertinS them. and In de-
Tending myself I have laid the Lame
on you for monopolizing rly tirlc.
say. Ernie DEAR one Of the six girls
whom 1 have asked to be bridesmaid
has decliLed."
"Who is she?" 1 inquired.
"Miss Christison--you know who l
mean; the young lacy who can't marry
without losing her fortune
20 yes; remember her. Wlo Will
take her place."
"Inez JuarrcZ."
"You must forgive Hiss Clristison
on account Of her absurd ald cruel
circumstances"
"Of course, dear, but"
At that moment our conversation was
interrupted by the loud and continuous
ringing of electric bells within the
house, and the hasty running Of SER
wants up and down the stairs. Con:
stance and l started to OR feet and
listened for a moment, and the con.
fusion continuing We left the room
to ascertain its cause. Outside the
door, upon the landing, we met my
aunt Gertrude, who was descending
the stairs dressed for going out. and
no sooner saw her face. veiled though
1t. was, than l perceived that she was
painfully agitated.
"What is the matter?" We both asked.
as with one voice.
"Oh, Connie dear, don't stop ne! A
clerk at Mills Building has just tele.
phoned to say that Sam has been seized
with sudden Illness, and l am not to
lose a moment in going to him.
fear he is dead, though they say he Is
not"
Dead! Impossible! An hour ago
he was here and well"'
But aunt Gertrude could not hear the
exclamations either of her sister CT me.
for she had scarcely paused in her de-
scent while imparting this terrible in
formation. A world Of confused and
painful thoughts filled my MINI, and q
strange pallor overspread the face of
the dear one at my side; the color faded
from her lips, and but for my timely
support she would have fallen. The
next moment the street door was heard
to close. and the carriage containing
aunt Gertrude was driven rapidly
away.
Leading Constance back into the
room, We both sat down upon a couch
and regarded each other in silence. !
consulted my watch; the hour wanted
twenty minutes to midday. Uncle Sam
had left Lone to 60 to his cffice at 10
o'clock, he being then in sound health
and high spirits. Constance was the
first to speak. Il can't believe, Ernie,
dear" she said, "tllat anything very
serious can be the matter. though
Gertrude seems so frightened. How
could there be" But the unconcealed
agitation Of the fair speaker bolied her
words, and l was in no condition to
support them by argument. Let us
go into Sans study and inquire by
the telephone how he is Low," she
presently added
"Yes, certainly; that is c good
thought. But doesn't uncle keep his
study locked?'
"Yec; lut Ccrtic also has key Of it,
and l don't suppose she stayed to lock
it IN her haste"
The suggestion was no sooner made
than adopted, AMI the strdy Ccor being
open, as Connie had curmised, she en-
tered and at once made her inquiry.
l can never forget her appearance as
che stood with the tube applied to her
ear, her youthful beauty showing
grandly despite the pallor induced by
her anxiety, while / watched witt,