Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-23

| l.
to learn. 1 am fixed - fixed, like an
| ancient tree. Ladies, you must not be
displeased to learn that am very
willful, hot-tempered old gentleman
| That is why l never married; should
have made my wife miserable, so one
woman was spared. 1t was very
thoughtful of you, Nephew Richard, to
give me new valet. Fleetwood-is
that your name?"
"Yes, sir" said Samuel Fleetwood.
"GOod name-good name: I shall not
forget II. 1 never forget anything.
Two trunks and valise of mine have
by this time arrived at the house; l
told the scoundrels if they used dis
patch they should have half q sover-
eign. Here it is; give it to them, and
take my belongings to my rooms, and
| arrange things. Here are the keys;
don't touch my papers, only my clothes
and printed books"
| Fleetwood sped off, and my uncle
| followed him with his eyes.
"Seems a willing scoundrel," he said.
"Had him long, Nephew Richard"
"a great many years, sir"
Faithful, you say"
Faithful man as breathes."
"Good character?'
| "The best"
He nodded and kept on nodding, till
Eunice, selecting small white rose,
put it in his buttOnhole.
"Thank you, my dear; I like atten-
ton. But why not one to your father?'
Smilingly she picked up a flower and
put it in my coat.
"And why not one for Friend Mort
LOCKE" said my uncle.
With a heightened color and biting
lip, Eunice gave Mr.. Mortlock rose.
He made no demur that she did not
| fasten it in his coat as she had fastened
my uncles and mine; but he took his
revenge by placing the rose to his lips
before he put it in his buttonhole.
Mr.. Wilmot laughed.
"Oh, youth, youth" lie exclaimed;
"inestimable, priceless treasure, that
can SO invest with magic qualities q
simple rose! VIII science ever lead
to the discovery of the elixir? Nephew
Richard, have in my dispatch box fiv6
thousand pounds. 1 would give ii
cheerfully for year of life; l would
give all my wealth, and stand Il beggar
in naked feet, if | We're twenty once
more. Ny dear niecc'-and it was q
mark of graciousncSS on his part to
so address my wife-"I am. as you see,
fond of life; it is all we have"
In the evening, when dinner was
over Harry came, and was duly intro
duced.
"Clanronald" exclaimed Mr.. Wilmot;
he eyed Harry narrowly, and there was
n shade of dlsplcasure on his face!
"Clanronald! Ah.'
Then lie looked at Eunice, who was
blushing and i'll at ease, and at Harry
again, who was nervous and awkward
in the presence of q stranger who
seemed to be criticising him, and not
favorably; and then he turned his
sharp eyes upon Mr.. Mortlock, who
met them smilingly, whercat Mr.. Will
mot smiled, and nodded and nodded
with great viyacity. These two APP
peared to understand each other with,
out speaking. When his fit of nodding'
was over my uncle, undoubtedly with
malice prepense, claimed Harry's sole
attention, leaving Mr.. MortlOck the
task of entertaining Eunice. | am
sorry to say that this made Harry.
| tot nj
not calculated 10 impress Mr.. Wilmot,
| favOrably. However, this did not ap-
pear to displeasc my uncle, who took
Harry as his partner in a rubber Of
whist, and even when Harry revoked
! it did not ruffle him. After the rubber
my uncle proposed a game Of chess,
and checkmated poor Harry in twelve
moves. Then my uncle called upon
Mr.. MortloCk to furnish entertainment,
and this gentleman, with great willing
ness, applied himself to the task, and
! surprised us with display Cf accom-
plishments Of which he had hitherto
made no parade. lie related story
after story; lie gave limitations of sin
gular people he had met in his travels;
he sang in French, German and Italian,
and accompanied himself with the skill
of master. Ny wife, as 1 observed,
disapproved of some Of these songs,
| but, Mr.. Wilmot shook with laughter.
I Mile. Rosalic was called upon TO con-
tribute to the entertainment, and she
sang admirably and with great spirit
At length, to our RELIEF, the evening
came to an end. Harry had said good
night and had gone home unhappy;
Eunce was miserable, and my wife
and were filled with disquieting re-
Elections. Only Mr. Wilmot and Mr..
! Mortlock seemed to have enjoyed them
selves and to have passed a pleasant
time. My uncle bade Eunice and her
mother goodnight, and said that he
foresaw that his visit would be emil
nently agreeable.
IT breakfast late" he said. "Nephew
Richard, you will see me to my ROOM"
! Fleetwood was there when we
reached it, arranging Mr.. Wilmot's
things for the night. Upon our en-
trance, he retired through a communl-
eating door into his own adjoining bed
room.
(To be Continued)