Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-02-28
TF1URMONT. THURSDAY FEBRUARY q

Ill conversation.
Between these sensitive and SYM
pathetic souls courage really was re.
quired to approach theme, the OPEN
ing of which might suggest that on
one side or the other there was some
consideratc concealment of suffering.
"Are you quite well, dad!'
"Quite well, Wally."
And Mr.. Deepdale raised his eyes to
his sons face, for there was a trem'
ulous ring in the young mans voice.
"And happy?"
"Quitc happy"
And now the tremuIOusness of Wal
ters tones found response in his
own. "Why, what should make me
otherwise"
Nothing in my knowledge, dad"
Now, ordinarily, according to the
fashion in which these two generally
carried on 4 conversation, the answer
to this, from Mr. Deepdale, would have
been. Nor in mine. Wally.'
But on the present occasion these
words were not spoken.
'I'll tell you why l ask, dad"
"Do, WaIly."
First" said Walter, in Il cheerful
tone, to convey to his father the as.
surance that there was no grievance
| in his mind of which he intended to
complain. "because since you have
been here you have written great
number Of letters to London
business letters. Waly. That Is
your first: now for your second
Dad. you don't sleep as well as you
| used to-"
"Ah you have found that out"
"Ycs, dad"
"And it is causing you uneasiness.'
Naturally. dad Would you not be
uneasy if you had reason or sup
posed you had reason, to suspect that
! | was unwell?'
"My boy, you are all the world to
me- SO you have been watching me,
YOU rascal, while | was not looking.
But, Wally. you must remember that
am not growing younger, and that old
age, as it crceps on, brings with it Il
| sack full of infirmitics. Oh, it will
| come to you. as it has come to nc.
| and it must be accepted. | don't think
| that either of us is oycrburdcned with
philosophy, but it will be a good plan
| in your course through life never Ia
trouble trouble til trouble troubles
YOU"
lnl or
there was deal of sense in it, did not
pursue the subject.
! Deeper calisc for uneasncsS would
have been afforded him could he have
seen his father that night, who after
| sitting by HE bedside till he fell asleep,
| stole to his own chamber and porcd
with distressed face over the letters
he had received from London,
Il will go to town in the morning. y
he said, inly land see if nothing can
| be done"
When the morning CAME he Informed
| Walter Of his intention, and anuci-
| pated his sons request to accompany
him by saying that he wished TO so
| alone.
1T Is OIL legal business" he said, in
connection with my property that |
have to attend to, and am afraid you
would be in the way"
Then it occurred to Walter that his
| father was about to make will, and
though the very thought Of will was
saddenng. because it was suggestive
OF death, he reluctantly consented to
The arrangement.
Mr.. Deepdale was absent two days,
and returned in Il more cheerful mood.
".\lh that is good, dad said Wal
ter, you look better
Il feel better. Wally, and that's bet
ter than looking it,"
He had much to tell. He had seen
Little Make-Believe, and Sarannc, and
he talked great deal about the Sis
ters, one of whom at least was bat
Ting bravely with the world.
The sight Of that brave child he
said. mo longer child though-she
and Saranne are quite young women
now--the sight of Little MakcBelieve,
coupled with the knowledge that we
have of her, toiling in her humble way
without murmer, should teach Us q
lesson. There is something heroic i'll
the struggle. She makes no headway;
| Doubt if they are any better off to-
day than they were on the night we
first made their acquaintance. Do you
remember, Wally? The grotto, the
story Little Make-Believc was telling,
the -penny-piece, and the cel-pic
supper?'
They recalled these incidents as they
strolled through long narrow Ian"
which led to the woods.
The full glory of summer was upon
them; the corn was ripeuinG, the
hedges were gay with wild flowers.
Il am not at all sure" said Mr.. Deep
dale that Make-Beleve has not with
in herself consolation which is almost
recompense, so far as she herself is
concerned. for the ha"dships she has
suffered since her infancy. The power
to be able to conjure up at will pictures
of our circumstances as we would wish
them to be, and to believe in them as
they live in our minds-what is that
worth. Wally. TO one who does not
often see the sum-
There is the awakening. dad
True. Wally, true" said Mr., Deep
dale, With a sigh, there is the awak-
gning.'
a day or two aftcrward, when they
were speaking again of the sisters, Mr..
Deepdalc said, suddenly:
1--WE been thinking, Wally--'
"Yes, dad, you've been thinking"
"What do YOU suppose
tTo be Continued.)