Catoctin clarion., 1908-04-23

c~ u u X X u y - ~ 4
lie was great deal 100 mucn enam-
ored of James lovely face for him to
entertain any serious misgivings as to
the wisdom of his choice; but yet
sense that the world would say he was
misallying himself was ever present
with him and he chose to be the
first to communicate the news to per-
sons of whose good opinion he was
jealous. He expatiated to such OH
Miss Grand's secluded bringing up, on
her grace, her feminine accomplish
ments, her beauty; adding, with an
mir of off-hand humility that was
meant to conceal certain degree of
wounded pride: "And I am very glad
to say she is not only without con-
nections, but without money. I could
not have borne to owe riches to my
wife. No woman wants any other
charm than beauty and youth, and
grace like Jane Grand's."
But her want of birth-her want
rather, of all knowledge Of her parents
and of her surviving relations-galled
Clifford much more than he chose to
acknowledge. 1t would have delighted
him to find out, either upon her faith
cr's or mothers side, some one pros
porous relation, some indisputably re-
spectacle name, that could be held in
reserve as a sort of piece de resistance
against the most stubborn inquiries of
Intimate friends. And the blank reti-
ccncc, both of Miss Lynch and the
vicar, whenever the subject Of James
family was mentioned, had already, in
the first week of his engagement, be-
come an actual and abiding thorn in
Clifford Mohun's flesh.
at is a very natural feeling Of Gif-
ford's," said James soft voice. ut
often seems strange to myself that /
should be actually without relation
in the world. and can't wonder that
he should like to hear a little more
about my parents. Auntie, are you
quite sure that you have told us all
that there is to hear about them both?
What was mammals maiden name? l
have never even heard that; and / am
twenty years of age"
She was sitting with Miss Lynch and
the vicar in the darkcning bay window
of their little parlor-Gifford having
left them after tea to attend to some
business that required his presense at
the house of one of his tenant farmers.
Don't think am inquisitive, auntie,
or that l wish to hear word more
than you like to tell me. l only feel
Clifford would like it better If we spoke
a little more freely about papa and
mamma
And she stole her hand, in her gentle,
child-like way, round her old friends
neck.
"Jancw and Miss Lynch's voice
in an instant. "Jane. no one will ever
be contented in this life with what Is
best for them to know-and you and
Mr.. Mohun are like the rest! 'Tis part
of the Inheritance of our fallen nature,
child of our fallen nature! But for
Ewes curiosity, you and would not be
the poor, sinful, miserable creatures
we are now"
Ewes curiosity made her transgress
n commandment, auntie. Clifford and
do no wrong in wishing to know-wbat
all people of our age should know-the
history of my own dead father and
mother, and the names Of my living re-
lations, If l have any"
"You believe you would be happier,
knowing this?"
81 don't think it is question of hap
pincss, auntie--I think it due to Clifford
that he should be TOLD"
"That is the right way of looking at
it, Jane" said the vicar. 1T is due to
Mohun. have been saying so to Miss
Lynch for some days past. There must
be-there can bc-no further conceal
ment from him; above all, he must
have nothing new to learn when you
are his wife"
"And thinking this" stammered
poor Miss Lynch, nervously.
"Thinking this" the vicar repeated,
in his quiet voice, 1--WE have written to
your guardian, dear Jane, your joint
guardian with Miss Lynch, Mr..
Clithero, telling him of your engage
ment to Mohun-"
"And he says?" broke in Jane, Gag.
cry.
"He says, Jane, that it was your late
fathers wish"-the words seemed to
come unwillngly from the wears lips
your fathers wish that, on attain.
ing the age Of twenty-one, or on your
marrying, whichever event should first
happen, you should hear-hear of sub
iects connected with your parents
lives from his, Mr.. Clithero's, own
mouth"
"WellY
1--WE have appointed that you should
do so. We have fixed that l should
take you up to London tomorrow
and that you shall see Mr.. Clithero."
Jane was quite silent for moment;
then she broke into laugh-a low
laugh like a child's-half fearful, half
merry, but that fell like lead on both of
her listeners hearts.
"Shall tell you what think Of you?
yes, of you, Miss Lynch, and you, Mr..
Follett; you are taking all this up a
great deal more seriously than Clifford
and I will ever do. l can quite guess
this great secret. ! am not lady by
birth. said so-to-day to Clifford, and
he told me he would not mind, because