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

with the ghost of twinkle in his eye
as he looked at his wife.
Charlie won't take it," replied
Lena, with perfect innocence. "He
insists upon having a minor part, as
he is to be stage-manager."
What part do you act?" asked
Mrs. Wright.
"Well, we have not quite decided
yet. Charlie wants me to be the
heroine, and Miss Sandford, who
lives close to Broomhaugh, to take
the part Of sprightly widow. Now
| rnlnK l wouIu 40 Tor a sprlgnrly
widow much better than for a de-
voted heroine; but Mrs. Mistley says
no. Let me see-if were the widow,
VINEYARD llistley would be my SON
source of endless woe to his re-
lations. If were the heroine Oh!
he would have to make love to mel
"Ah! he would do that" said Col
onel Wright, with conviction. He
would do that well!"
II think l would rather be his
mother" said Lena.
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs.
Wright, incredulously.
'I once saw him making love-" be-
gan the colonel in a tone somewhat
suggestive Of long story.
Indeed" said Lena, indifferently.
and she extended her hand toward
the morning paper.
YES" continued the colonel. ut
was one of the funniest sights have
ever seen, and yet Mistley was as
grave as judge. She was Rus
sian; her complexion was OF dull
yellow; she appeared to be ignorant
of the primary use of water, and she
smoked very bad cigars. Added to
that, she was somewhat older than
his mother!"
why did he do it?" asked Lena,
smiling. She was more interested
now In the little story, and had laid
aside her newspaper.
He wanted some information
which he knew her to possess"
Are you sure you did not make
love to her, too?" asked Mrs. Wright,
with a smile, which the old soldier
fully appreciated
Il tried" was the candid reply,
but could not get on at all. The
best of 1t was that she half suspected
what he was about: but she was so
anxious to get some information out
of him, that she encouraged his love-
making. In fact, 1t was game of
cross-purposes.
"And who won?" asked Lena.
"Oh, he did," replied the colonel;
and he returned to his toast as If
there could only have been one an
swer to that question.
Presently, after some moments
spent in deep thought, Lena looked
up with twinkle Of merriment how
ering in her eyes.
II think. papa" she said, that he
will do very we'll for the part we
wish him to take. Your description
of him sounds dark and mysterious,
and that Is what we want"
Excuse me, little one. l never
said he was dark and mysterious. AS
1t happens, he Is rather fair and the
very reverse of mysterious. for he
is open and almost boyish; though,
indeed, his manner changes so much
and so suddenly that 1t is nearly i'm
possible to say when he Is in earnest
or in fun. Generally the latter. |
think.
Because" continued the girl, ut
is a villains part--a very nice villain,
thought"
"The part he takes in life is that
of the light comedian, think" said
. the colonel, thoughtfully stirring his
coffee. "He usually plays the light
comedian to my heavy schemer, If
may put 1t thus; but then 1t Is only
because he has found 1t convenient
to do, so. People consider him
frivolous, light-hearted boy, and he
y is content that they should do so;
but know him to be different. The
fellow Is a born organizer, foreseeing
everything, ready for every emergen-
cy, which he meets with that imper-
turbable smile of his, as IL he were
enjoying himself immensely"
II am rather afraid of this para
gon," said Mrs. Wright, rising from
the table.
my dear" replied the colonel,
who was occupied in selecting Gig
arctic from very polished leather
case, "if it were not for this paragon,
l should very probably not be sitting
hero now You must not let my
praises prejudice you against him, as
praise Is very apt to do. VINEYARD
Mistley is a clever fellow, and what
is better still, he Is sincere. He does
his work well, and he does it because
he loves it. 1t Is such men as he
who get on in the world--provided
they do not marry"
why should the poor man not
marry, papa?" asked Lena, who was
busy with some flowers at a side
table.
Simply because marriage would
completely spoil his career. You see,
a man cannot go roaming about in
disguise In the heart of Central Asia,
when he has a young wife fretting
her life away at home"
Lana lookad around and fhan