Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER XI.
Coptip,Io6


with Saranne in his arms, they were o
thousand times more rough and un'
even now they We're in the cart, bump
ing along.
For the driver was anxious to get to
his own cottage, and he urged the
horse to make as much haste as was IN
the power of an animal that was by
constitution slow goer and plodder-
and, consequently philosopher.
He, sitting in front on the shaft, and
Dumping up and down as though that
were his natural way of life, did not
see his passengers, but he heard them
cry out to Kim merrily to "Stop, stop,
stop"
BY that time Saranne was pressed
close to Walters side-for no other rea.
son, of course, than that if he moved
away from her the billionth part OF
an inch something dreadful might oc.
cur.
"You really" said Walter, "for the
sake of our bones, must go little
slower"
Thereafter they logged along at
more sober pace the driver being
soothed by the promise of an extra
shilling), but Notwithstanding this i'm
proved mode of progression, which re-
duced to zero the chance of falling ont
of the cart, Saranne was still pressed
close to Walter, and his arm was
around her waist.
Perhaps experience had taught Wal
ter that it was we'll for a man to be
prepared for sudden shocks when he
is riding in a rough cart over rough
country roads with pretty girl by his
side.
It was q glorious sunset, and at Lit
tie Make-Beleve's request the driver
pulled up so that they could ascend q
hill and look at it.
The evening was still and peaceful
and the young people were for the
most part silent, rs they Sazed at the
wondrous color of the western skies;
but now and then whispered word or
two from Waters lips reached Sar
anne's ears.
AS they rode along again they
watched the sinking of the sun through
the lacings of the distant trees; the
fiery shadows, gliding hithcr and
thither, seemed to be imbued with life
Lower sank the sun, until not the
faintest line of arc could be seen;
darker grew the dusky shadows until
not q trace of restless light remained.
And night was with them.
Peaceful and beautiful. They were
quite silent now.
Not word from their lips, only now
and then soft and happy sigh.
The driver with the prospect Of an
additional shilling and another on top
Of that-the additional promise having
already been given by Walter-sat con-
tentedly on his shaft, smoking his pipe.
So amiable was he that he went lit
tie out of his way to show them great
haystack, to which a match had been
wickedly put in the morning by
drunken laborer smarting under
grievance against his master.
It resemblcd an ancient castle. with
turrets and towers and Gothic arches.
The fire was still smouldering in the
ruined building. Sudden lights ap-
peared and disappeared; flaming shad-
ows glded over the surfaces; columns
crumbled to white dust; lurid windows
shone everywhere amid the blackenng
patches; the walls bulged inward
with q silent crash, vast pieces of the
ceiling fell to the ground, sending
myriads of sparks, in a furious rush,
upward to the skies.
Onward once more through the
peaceful night, leaving the fiery wreck
behind them-past tall trees which,
with dark clouds hanging over them,
seemed of monstrous height - through
narrow lanes dotted with familiar
landmarks-past pond covered with
water lilies-skirting the footbrdge
they had often crossed-nearer and
nearer home till the cottage lights ap-
peared.
In accordance with Walters wish,
the driver had brought them to within
hundred yards Of their door.
He was well paid for it, and giving
them goodnight, set his horse going,
jumped on to the shaft, and jolted
homeward, whistling.
A hundred yards was not far to
walk, but it took long time, the pace
being so very, very slow.
Perhaps the circumstance that Sar-
anne and Walter had joined hands as
they walked had something to do
with it.
This love palming is accountable for
much.
No one knew Of It but themselves;
Little Make-Believe was on Walters
left, Saranne on his right, so that II
was his right hand and her left which
were softly infolded one within the
other.
1t is necessary to be correct In the
cndeavor to explain why they were
such an unconscionable long time
walking those hundred yards.
In the m'dlle of the night Little
Make Believe awoke.
Her face was turned to Saranne,
who, with her back to her sister, was
leaning on her elbow, gazing at some.
thing she held in her hand.
On the chair by the bedside was o
lighted candle.