Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-06-18
CHAPTER XIV.

One March morning Mr.. MOhuE
walked into Jane Grand's sitting room
with letter in his hand. After reliev-
ing his feelings by one or two amiable
expletives not necessary to record, he
threw this letter down upon the table.
himself-his accustomed attitude-upon
the sofa, and then and there committed
all friends who died and all friends
who wiring promises out of him, Clifford
Mohun. and all orphans who had the
impertinence to remember such prom.
ises afterward. to destination not
often distinctly spoken aloud in the
ears of good society.
Jane was not Mortified. as she would
have been some months ago.. at this
little overflow of temper. She began to
know pretty we'll what to expect from
Mr.. Mohun when he was out Of sorts.
Perhaps, poor fellow, this east wind
irritated his nerves: he was not so in
different to weather as he used to be
years ago: and in mild and deprecat-
ing tone she made a remark to this eff
feet
"Oh-the east wind" cried Mr.. Mo-
hun. On the strength Of the old en-
gagement and her long devotion to him,
you perceive that he adopted the same
easy manner to her that he would have
shown to a wife or sister, C the east
wind! I've got letter from that fool
Fergusson's daughter, asking me to do
something for her, and begging for an
answer by return Of post. I've told
you about FERGUSON, I suppose.
haven't I? Well, never mind, read the
girls cursed letter first. and then you
can tell me how you think can get out
of it best. How can help the little
fool? What do I know about gov
ernesses?"
And so on while Jane read the letter
through a string Of little muttered OBJ
servations into which we do not care
to follow him.
"What do you think of it?" he cried,
as she finished. "What do you think of
this modest request Of my humble
servant, M. Fergusson?'
"She writes in nice spirit, and like
one who, If she could, would make an
honorable exertion to help her family,
Clifford" said Jane, meekly. 'If her
father was such friend Of yours as
she states, should be glad if We could
In any way give the poor child start"
Child? Oh, she's only child, you
thinkw said Clifford, looking relieved.
"Then I'll tell you what I'll do-send a
nve.pound note by return of post for
her to buy new dress with, and
there's an end of 1t. Just write the
procss sort of thing for me. and I'll
send 1t off by to-day's post"
But Jane hesitated. In her intense
desire that Clifford should always come
out we'll in all he did she felt herself
called upon to do something more for
that fool Fergusson's little orphan
daughter.
IL don't think she can be quite n
child, Gifford-fifteen or sixteen, per-
haps: and then she makes no request
for money, you see, only asks you to
use what influence you have in getting
her into the schoolroom of some Of
your friends or relatives. She writes
very pretty hand-so formed, and yet
freew
And to gain time Jane took up Miss
Fergusson's letter and displayed its
exquisitely written pages again for
Gifeord's inspection.
As Miss Ferguson will soon appear
upon the stage, very practical actor
in the limited dramatis personae of
poor James life, her note "a not unchar-
acteristic one) may as we'll be given in
substance. 1t was written on remark
ably deep mourning paper, in a clear,
delicate, pattes de mouche hand, and
with the usual liberal allowance Of
dashes and underlinings and notes Of
exclamation, by which young ladies
generally make the written exposition
of their joys and sorrows telling.
CTo be continued)