Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-02-13
CHAPTER XIV.
JOYFUL TIDINGs.

CHAPTER XIV.
JOYFUL TIDINGs.
Harriet Rolfe had never before this
evening felt what 1t means to be truly
happy. For she was as well dressed
as she desired to be; that 1t to say,
as she had learned to be, because she
never scared to the heighths of those
ladies who resign themselves into the
hands of their artistes, but arranged,
considered, designed, and chose for her.
self, which is much the best way II
you have touch of genius Next, she
was in society; that is to say, she sat
at the head of her table, presiding
over the first dinner party given by
Mr.. and Mrs. Hanaper ROlfe-the Sec
ond Christian name came in handy
in their new house.
There were no ladies'; but as yet
Harriet had not arrived at the stage
of desiring the society of ladies. Her
own sisters, cousins, aunts, and early
friends could not, she knew be asked
to meet gentlemen, and besides, she
liked to be the sole object Of their ad-
miration. She was conscious that few
women can be certain of calling forth
this admiration. In a crimson velvet
frock with dead-gold bracelets and
necklace, with her tall and shapely
figure and her comely cheek, she
looked indeed splendid creature.
James regarded her with pardonable
pride.
There were four guests; one, n GER
tain baronet whose acquaintance
James had made in billiard room
which he frequented, where the
marker and the habitual players called
him Surennery. To be called Sur
emery must be true enjoyment Of a
title. He was handsome man, still
young, of five-and-thirty or so, with
rather a weak profile. But his eyes
were sharp. like unto those of a hun
ter. His private fortune was said to
be nothing at all, and his enemies de-
cared that he lived by pyramids and
shilling pool.
There were, besides, three other old
friends of the turf and the billiard
room invited in order that they might
see for themselves in what magnifi-
| cence their former pal. once so hard
up, was now living.
When Mrs. Rolfe arose, The lost
pushed about the bottles. But the
evening was "set dull; no one said
anything which called forth a spark Of
interest. At last Sir Henry made a
remark which though he did not mean
it, fell like a bombshell and wrecked
| the house.
II saw a War Office man just now"
he said; "he told me that they have
just had telegram about those two
murdered"
"What two fellows?" asked James,
quickly looking up.
Captain MCLAUGHLIN and the news
paper chap. 1t seems they were
prisoners, and have got back. 1t will
be in the papers tomorrow"
Jem poured out glass of port and
drank it. Then he took another-his
| face was very white and his hands
| trembled.
"The newspaper chap Sir Henry"
he said. with dignity, but huskily.
"was-I mean is-my first cousin"
"Oh! am sorry spoke so hastily"
"Not at all. The news naturally
surprised me. We had all given him
up long ago. Poor old Tom! He had
no brother, and we were brought up
together" This was decoration, so
to speak, of the truth. 'TO think that
he should turn up again, alive and
well-you said that both were alive
and well-and well?"
"AIy War Office man certainly said
that both had been prisoners and had
escaped"
"Let us hope that both are well.
There is a girl somewhere about who
will be happy woman tomorrow
when the news comes. Not to speak
of another woman not hundred miles
from this house."
He was doing 1t very well, thought
1.-THE pals. They then began to talk of
| the strangeness of arriving home when
one has been reported dead, and been
given up for lost, and mourning has
been ordered and worn, and wills
proved-conversatio during which
their host winked his eyes hard many
times.
| Before they went upstairs he made
a little request of them: "My wife,"
he said, "was very fond of my cousin
Tom" She had never even seen him.
"She is a very sensitive person
highly strung and that, you know" he
.winked again, "and the news Of his
death affected her terribly. Do not
breathe a word of this joyful intelli-
gcnce, will break it to her carefully
tomorrow morning, SO that she may
not lose her nights rest"
Upstairs Harriet gave her guests tea
and little music. She knew how to
play simple accomplishments and had
a strong, full voice Of rather coarse
quality, which would have done well
for the burIesque stage Or the music