Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-11-19
CHAPTER VII.
Winyard Arrives.

VINEYARD Arrives.
1t happened that Winyard Mistley
heard Lena sing before he spoke with
her; and in after years that first i'm
preston remained uppermost In his
mind. He never afterward doubted
the presence Of deep, true woman's
heart beneath the gay and almost
frivolous manner she chose to assume
before the world. Perhaps he was
Judging in some degree from himself.
He knew that the gay and some
what shallow youth, known to the
generality as VINEYARD Mistley, was
not the true inner thinking man.
who ambition was fortunately tenn
pered with q whole-hearted sense or
patriotism rarely met with In these
| self-seeking times.
When VINEYARD arrived at the door
Of Colonel Wright's house In Seymour
| street, the postman was just turning
away from it, having dropped let
ter into the box and given his recog-
nized rap. Thus Jarvis, the old SOL
| dier-servant, saw the shadow or a
visitor upon the ground glass OF the
| door when he camo for the letters,
| and did not walt for second knock.
| The old warrior knew who this
brown-faccd stranger was at once
and stepped back, holding the door
wide open.
| Lena was singing in small room
| Immediately opposite the entrance
and the door of this room was wide
open. The old soldiers movements
| were quick and noiseless. as SOL
| diers movements should be; but
Vineyard was quicker, and, with a
touch of his hand. he stopped Jarvis
from going forward to announce him.
"Wait a moment" he whispered.
| Lena sung on unconsciously. She
had heard the postman's knock, and
recognized 1t, but was not expecting
any particular letter. and therefore
did not interrupt her song.
The two men stood outside the
| door and listened In silence-the ola
soldier-whose fighting days were
done, and the young man. whose
timo was yet to come. One-a
sturdy, powerful figure, very straight,
with peculiarly flat back and
square, honest face; the other some
what taller, OF lighter build. lean ana
wiry, active as a cat. They could
lust see Lena's shoulder, and the
| nlay of her white hand and wrist.
| Occasionally, as she swayed a little
to one side with the rhythm or her
music, they caught sight or her
dainty head, with the soft. dry hair
drawn we'll up and clustering down
| again.
When the last note of the accom-
paniment had died away, Lena swung
rather suddenly round upon the mu-
sic-stool, and found herself face 10
face with VINEYARD. He was standing
with his ovcrcoat still upon his arm'
and at first Lena thought that 1t was
Charles Mistley. SO quick was her
movement that she caught Wlnyard
looking grave-a luxury he rarely In
dulged in
Instantly Lena rose. and although
| she blushed, she smiled with perfect
solf-possessior
"Mr. Mistley," she said. extending
her hand, II rever heard you come
in."
Then they shook hands, and Jar
| Wis vanished with Vineyards coat.
"I am afraid" said Mistley, lock-
ing trifle guilty. that have been
standing outside since the end OF the
first verse"
| Lena gave q little laugh, which
was not quite free from embarrass-
ment.
THAT was rather mean." she said.
! 81 am afraid 1t was impertinent,
said Vineyard, quickly, "now that !
| come to think of 1t; but at the mo-
ment | hardly thought OF what | was
| doing. You see, | came In with the
letters, and then, as soon as / stepped
inside the door, l heard-you sing
ing. l am afraid prevented the man
from interrupting you. You must
! make some allowance for wanderer
whose manners have suffered, MISS
| Wright. You see, have not heard
| anything like that for three years.
and | could not resist hearing 1t ALL
| Do you think l should have said
'Ahem!' or banged my umbrella into
! the stand, so as to let you know that
some one was listening?"
| mo doubt" replied Lena, "that
would hay, been the proper course
to pursue; but it does not matter
much, suppose. If you like to listen
to people practicing, there is no ac-
| tual harm in It. Let us go upstairs
| to the drawing-room. Our respective
| mothers are there. Papa Is dresslng'
and Charlie has not come yet"
Lena stopped rather abruptly, and
led the way upstairs. 1t suddenly
struck her that Charlie, whose name
came 80 naturally from her lips was
| this mans brother, and that her easy
manner of speaking OF him must
sound objectionably familiar.
Vineyard gave her no time to think
OF 1t, however. He saw the passing
embarrassment, and came to her re-
lief at once.