Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-30
Observation-Disclosures NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

I As he turned over the pages I felt
that consequences almost vital were
trembling in the balance. "Yes." said
Mr.. Wilmot, pausing at a page. "this
is the man-it is he." He nodded and
snarled at the BIT of pasteboard. "Let
us be sure This is the father of the
young man who played what he called
chess with me last night?"
Eyes"
He closed the book. Nephew Rich
ard, you and do not know much Of
each other"
mot as much as should have de-
sired, sir"
"Well, well. Perhaps a closer &C.
quaintance was not to be desired!
Perhaps we have been better friends
apart. 1t is often the case-often the
case. I like you; like your wife: I
like your daughter. There are one or
.wo others like-only one or two. l
! like Mortlock; you like him, too; you
said he was a charming gentleman.
So he is-charming. There are men l
dislike-some more, some less. They
! do not trouble me, because do not
allow them to trouble me. wipe them
out, do not express my dislike; do
! not as much as think Of them, unless
they happen to be forced upon me. AS
In this case. I dislike your Mr.. Clan
ronald, much more than less. will
not enter into the reasons for my dis
like; they are private and delicate, and
are, to me sufficient. That much be-
ing said, we dismiss the Clanronalds.
Let me never hear their name again"
"But, sir" I said, In helpless tone
of remonstrance, for hope seemed
surely slipping from me, ut Is of this
very Harry Clanronald must speak"
pardon me-" he said. In tone of
extreme politeness. and had been bet
ter acquainted with his character l
should have known that this was in
him a dangerous sign. y do not see
the necessity. Let lis. at all events,
first speak Of what will be mutually
agreeableamutaully agreeable. pre-
sent myself to you as an ambassador"
"As an ambassador" l stammercd.
"As an ambassador" he repeated,
blandly. IL have the honor to ask tho
hand Of your lovely daughter Eunice
for my dear friend MOrtlock." gazed
at him in a kind Of despair; he con.
tinued: "He is a gentleman; man of
good family, a Travelled man; a cul-
tured man; a man Of parts; and like
him. When l introduced him to you
and your delightful family had a
latent hope that he would fall in love
with your daughter. 1t has happened.
l did not say to him, Go to England;
90 to Boscombe Lodge, Sevenoaks, and
make friend Of my nephew Richard,
and there behold fresh and budding
type of English beauty in the person Of
my nephew Richards charming daugh-
ter Eunice.' might have said as
much, having, before l left England.
received picture of your daughter,
for which, think, I have not thanked
you, and in which l discerned bud
that would blossom into rare lowell
ness: but did say to Friend Mortlock,
Nephew Richard has daughter; 1t Is
time you should settle down What l
hoped has come to pass, and ap-
prove"
What you ask" I said, lis impossi-
ble."
"How impOssible?'
:Eunica does not love Mr.. Mortlock.
Her heart is given to another"
"To whom?"
"To Harry Clanronald"
"a childish fancy" said my uncle,
(which will soon pass away. She can
not marry him.
"She can," said firmly, "and shall"
"She must not, Nephew Richard"
"She must, uncle. She Is pledged. I
know the nature Of my child. She will
| never wed another"
He did not lose his temper, but
| saw a change come over his face. His
sharp eyes grew sharper and smaller,
and this diminishing sign, If I may so
| express it, distinguished all his fea-
lures. His wizened face grew still
more wizened, his mouth seemed to
contract, his nostrils to become thinner,
and when bespoke again his voice was
cold, clear and precise, and seemed to
come through lips of steel.
"Nephew Richard, was right when
I said we do not know much Of each
other. Even If had not set my heart
| upon this match, would never con.
sent to your daughter marrying young
Mr.. Clanronald; but have set my
heart on it, and If you are prudent you
Will range yourself on my side. You
shall not be in the dark, whichever
way you decide. Will be very-I trust
not painfully-explicit. 1t is in nc
petty or boastful mood that say
have behaved well to you and yours"
"You have behaved, Sir" I said,
"most literally, most generously. A
lifetime of gratitude could not repay
you"
II will be content with less" he
said, dryly. "There is not much merit
in what have done; what you have
received from me I could we'll spare.
In all my life have really loved but
one human being-your mother, my
only sister. When your father fell into
misfortunes resolved upon my course;
and once resolved, Nephew Richard.