Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-04-11
7URMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, 1907
How the storm was raging wlthouk
Sha ho,aad ,rhomas Dexter would got

| room; drew the curtain IroW tne VILE
! dow and looked out
The falling of the snow was like
| silent voice, but there was nothing
| peaceful in II.
The white flakes were wh'rleG hither
| and thther by the cruel wind.
A black figure was passing on the
| opposite side of the road; a black fig
ure. huddled up, with its arms tightly
I folded.
1t was a woman, and there seemed
to be something despairing in her mo-
tions.
"Poor thing! poor thingr' thought.
or rather spoke, Little Make-Believe.
/ her sympathy for human suffering was
so keen. "Perhaps she amt got n
home to 20 to, or n bed to lay on.
Poor thing! poor thing! Dear God
take pity on herr
Her eyes We're suffused with tears
rs she reflected that. but for such kind
friends as she had, she might have
been like that poor woman.
"Dear God, dear God, take pity on
her." she murmuret ogain and again.
Long after the black figure was out
of sight she stood at the window, NEIL
tally following and sorrowing for 1t.
The clock struck again. Half-past
one. She let the blind fall, and sat
Mt the table, with the open book before
her.
Why was it that as she sat. with her
head resting on her hand, the love for
her sisters lover, which she had
striven so hard to kill, should once
more rise within her TO torture her?
She would not permit it-no. she
would not think Of him in that way.
1t was a sin against love itself-It
was sin against God!
She shook her head anSri|y. and her
eyes wandered round the room as II
seeking for strength to conquer this
enemy.
Presently she sank on her knees, and
with her face buried In her hands on 4
chair. prayed with all the might OF
her bruised and innocent heart to be
forgiven for the sin.
And prayer brought comfort to her.
Gradually she became more composed
and closed her eyes, not intending to
sleep. but the fatigue OF the day, and
Of many previous days, told OH her,
and with n prayer in her mind she fell
asleep.
The striking of the clock MS IT struck
two. then half past, did not awaken
her.
What was it, then. that seemed to
stop the beating of her heart and at
the same time aroused her to con-
sciousneSs!
There was something moving In the
house. Where did the sound come
from? From the sleeping rooms OF
Saranne or Mr.. Dcepdale?
No; the sound proceeded from below.
Could it be that while she slept Thom-
as Dexter had returned?
If so, what motive had he in creep
ing up the stairs so slowly ana eau
tiously, as though he was thief?
Nearer nearer came the sound OF
mufiled footsteps. Terror transtixed
her: she could not move; she tried to
call out, but her voice stuck In her
throat.
Nearer, nearer it came; the creeping
mystery was in the passage outside!
Its hand was OH the handle of the
door, which slowly, slowly opened, ana
the Horror stood before heI!
1t was the form of Il man, with
black Grape over his face. He saw
her. and glided swiftly TO her side and
grasped her shoulder as she knelt.
Don't move. Don't stir! Don't
raise your voice"
And she knew that this midnight
thief was Foxey.
With this knowledge her courage re-
turned, her voice was restored.
"For Gods sake, what brings you
herey"
"You," lie answered, drawing the
Grape from his face; but didn't think
to find yer up"
She thrust his hand from her Shout
der. and rose to her feet. but spoke.
as he spoke, in whisper.
"And now that yer have found me
up kill me, and go"
She held her arms outstretched, ana
waited for the blow.
NO" he said, slowly, "it amt you
I've come to kill; but I'll have the life
of two afore 60. After that don't
care what becomes of me-"
What two? DO you hear? What
two? You wicked monster! What two?
Are yer too much of coward to all
swer me"
/ "Call me what yer like; it don't mat
ter. love yer, Make-Believe, and no
man shall have yer but me. What
two? Yer two lovers. I'll kill 'em,
and swing for it!'
"My two lovers"
"Yes, yer two lovers-old Dexter and
young Walter Deepdale."
Then she knew that she was safe
and that she held him in her power
my lovers. Mine! Mr.. Dexter's got
wife living-no, not living-dying as
we stand here, and he's gone to see her
on this blessed Christmas night, for
the last time! He arksed me to be his
daughter not two hours ago, and he's
got no feeling for Inc that father
mightn't have for his child. Oh, Fox.
ey, Foxey, that you should think me
so bad and so mean as to take up wSh
n man who's got one foot In the
grave"
II believe yer; I'll let him pass. But
the other one-Walter Deepdale; yer
can't say as much for him."
| % !, M