Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-08-15
aMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, Md THURSDAY. AUGUST l5
never more share her hard fare, and
look to her to lessen the hardships Of

I, straying thither without purpose
from the garden where we met. We
came to q stream bridged by single
| plank supported in the middle. There
had been handrail, but it had fallen
away IN decay. l gave her my hand;
the fear Of falling made her clasp my
fingers tightly. She seemed to enjoy
the little danger; it animated her face
and eyes with the prettiest expression
imaginable. Her hand seemed to COM
municate the Quickened pulsation of
her heart. But it was not fear-it was
intoxication that agitated me; and
when she put her foot in safety Oh the
bank, and looked up into my face with
bright laughter, lost my head COM
pletely; kept her hand in mine, and
when she tried to withdraw it,
forced it to my lips and pressed my
lips upon it. The color left her cheek,
and in tone of reproach she ex.
claimed. ooh, Mr.. Thornew and was
ashamed. We walked home and were
very silent OH the way. I sought Sir
Edmund at once. and finding him
| alone, told him that wished to make
his daughter my wife. He was thun-
derstruck by this sudden and unex-
! pccted announcement.
81 love your daughter" | said, "and
I cannot stay in this house keeping my
| passion secret"
"Well," he said, with rather rueful
pleasantly, you have lost no time,
Mr. Thornc, but it would have been
poor compliment to my daughter had
you failed to perceive her charms
We talked for some time, and final.
ly he said, with emotion:
81 must give up my dear child sooner
or later. Her happiness is dearer to
me than anything; and can wish her
no greater blessing than 10 find good
and worthy husband"
At that moment Edith opened the
door, but, seeing us, she stopped in the
entrance.
Come here, Edith" said Sir Ed
mund; and. taking her hand, he con-
tinued "Mr. Thorne wishes you to
be his wife; is that your wish also?'
She buried her burning face In her
fathers shoulder; she could neither
say yes nor no.
1T Is a question that should not be
decided hastily" the Baronct contln'
ucd: "takc time my dear. Meanwhile,
see no reason for your leaving the
house." he added, addressing me.
"Unless--" ! faltered.
"Unlcss Edith wishes it, the Bar
onet said, helping me out. True.
Shall you feel more at ease, dear. if
Mr.. Thorne goes away-for certain
time? say. Shall he so:'
Still screening her face, Edith shook
her head, and then ! knew that | had
won treasure greater than the Hes
per diamond.
In the afternoon of the 10th Sir Ed
mund said:
II have been looking at your engage.
mcnt. Bernard, from Il practical point
of view, and fact Occu-S to me that.
at such time as this. would probab.
ly escape YOU That agreement or
yours must be altered. You Will see
that, for Ediths sake, what call the
tontine clause-a clause comforting up.
on the survivor Il deceased partners
share in the Great Hespcr-Should be
abrocatcd. 1t entails risk which she
must not be exposed to-you under
stand me?'
| understood what he said perfectly.
and agreed with him that the clause
must be altered.
Consult with your partners he
said, las to what change is advisable.
I expect my lawyer here Oh the 2ith
and lie can then draw up legal agree
mcnt in accordance with our general
wish
l took the Judge tito Van loeck's
room, and there told him of my en-
cagcment to Miss Lascclles. Van
lIocck was visbly alarmed when he
heard this: and when | went on to say
that Sir Edmund wished the clause
altered by his lawyer on the oath, he
said quickly, In Il low voice:
The crafty old 1ox! What does he
mean by that"
"His meaning is obvious enough"
replied; 'if l marrv Miss Lascclle:
and die, she will be dispossesseu Oh
my share of the diamond. can leave
her only legacy of debt
"Yes. end thet amt all on it, said
the Judge, dragging his wlry chin tuft
through his hand and bending ms
brow. "Thet amt all by lump
We're playing with marked card in
the pack-a card as misat tempt eer
one on us to foul play"
"What on earth do you mean? Speak
plainly if you can" said Van Hoeck'
in angry impatiencc.
"Well, l mean this ere answered
the Judge, with slow impressiveness'
"that If one of my pardncrs wasn't
gentleman, and tother wasn't helpless
blind, Pm iiggered if I'd go to bed
without a slx-shootcr under my piller,
and my finger on the trigger. l don't
allude to one any more'n another, but
we'l just take Israel's word for gos'
pei, that every one is thief il you
give him q chance of thievin'; end, at
any rate. I'm just as likely as not to
murder my two pardners, end git the
whole of thet diamond to myself. Con
sequently, you will allow thet the
! Squire has a double reason for wantin'
thet agreement altered; fur 1t amt
only the money he's got to secure on
to his daughter, but her husbands life
likewise. Time enough for the young
lady to be widder in the natral OF.
der of things in gen'l.'
10 be Continued.