Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-07-12
kCHAPTER NXIII.
Continued.
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twice in our upward pro-
5ward the house did we turn to
1t the scene below, which was as
liful as mind can conceive. The
top terrace reached, we fingered for
several minutes, and l expressed my
admiration without reserve.
II am always much gratiiied, am
sure, when an Englishman admires
American scenery" said Mrs. Van
Rensselaer,. "Some parts Of your
Thames, think, are very charming
and peaceful, but none so bold as this.
My friend. Mr.. Dennis O'Connor, has
brought an English gentleman with
him to-day, who had great desire to
see the river from this point, whose
praise is as unqualified as yours" and
the speaker pointed with her fan to
the lower veranda, where sat Mr.. Den.
mis- O'Connor and Mr.. Evan Price, the
latter putting a cigarette and watching
us with intense interest.
This little incident, which not many
hours before would have greatly dis.
turbed me, added to my qualification.
Now. I thought. will l demonstrate to
my rival that his suit is hopeless, and
compel him to retire from the field.
"Connie," l whispered, "my own lit.
tie wife that is to be, do you see who
is sitting thcre?"
eyes, dear" she answered softly.
"Hc will find an opportunity to talk
with you today, I am sure. You will
know what to tell him?"
Trust me-" said my faithful Con-
stance, returning the pressure Of my
hand.
Il WILL" responded.
Never shall l forget the delights of
that long autumnal day. 1t is true l
was sometimes obliged to surrender
my Constance to her friends. but for
the most part l contrived to keep her
to myself, and was surprised to oh.
serve that beyond a formal bow of
recognition when we first entered tho
house Mr.. Evan Price ignored us both.
l suspected that that transformed
cleric was reserving what he had to
say until he perceived an entirely ia.
vorable opportunity, and acquainted
Constance with my suspicion, who
agreed with me. These remarks were
made in the blue drawing room, where
the greater number of Mrs. Van Rcnss.
elaers guests had assembled just as
evening was closing in.
"If you leave the drawing room by
the door," said Constance. "and re.
turn again at once by the vcranda,
you can sit at that small table at the
back of that bamboo screen. From
where Mr. Price is now sitting he can
see your departure but not your return.
If he comes to me you will hear our
conversation and can rcappcar to in.
terrupt 1t at any moment YOU please.
Give me this opportunity, dear Ernest,
10 set your mind at rest once for ever
as 10 whether care anything for Mr..
Price or not"
MY dearest Connie" I exclaimed
fervently, Il don't doubt your faith
fulncss the least in the world nothing
you can say or do can increase my per-
feet trust in you. But ! will do as you
suggest"
And the next minute rose from nv
seat and walked away. TO carry out
the plan proposed by Miss Marsh oc-
cupied more time than we supposed it
would. In the first place, it was neces.
sary for me to pass along three sides
of the Rensselaer, mansion, which was
or great extent, in itself the work of at
least five minutes, but failed to ac-
complish 1t in less than double that
time in consequence Of meeting my
aunt and Mrs. Van Rensselaer,, who
detained me with questions. However,
l escaped from these ladies as soon as
l decently could, and re-enterng the
drawing room from the veranda took
up my position as arranged. Mr.. Evan
Price was already at the side of my
Constance. The expression of his face
betrayed the carncstness of his pur-
pose. and he spoke so low that, though
l was less than three feet distant from
him. it was with some difficulty that l
cOuld make out all he Salu.
II cannot conceive why 1t is," he was
saying. "that you should refuse to ac-
cept this ring. The stone is n beaut-
full one; l selected it with great care
myself, and drew the design for the
mounting of it. The mere acceptance
of the ring will not imply that you arc
In any way engaged to me. You will
only confer upon me favor for which
| shall always remain grateful. Let us
agree that the gift signifies nothing;
only accept IT, beg of you"
II really cannot accept it. q. I told
you l could not before you had 1t
made" answered Constance firmly.
"Why has this change come over
you?" he asked.
No change has come over me-" re.
piled Constance warmly. "All l ever
was to you, that | am now
II think you were more kindly dis.
posed toward me when we were fellow
passengers on the Etruria, and | am
cure you did not avoid me so carefully
before the advent of that English coun.
try boy rs you have done since"
MY recollection does not agree with
yours, Nj. Price. If it is yonr pleasure
to constile ordinary American cour
tesy into the sort Of kindness to which
you attach special meaning am not
responsible for that, l regret, but can
not help il. AS for the English coIn