Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-12-10
CHAPTER XII.

Continued.
At last Lena consented, on condi-
tion that 1t should not be mentioned
until afterward that she had made
Mabel Sandford's acquaintance; and
with this VINEYARD was forced to be
content.
While they were still talking over
this matter, the colonel arrived with
a very heavy basket of fish, and a
separate tale to tell of each individ-
ual captive of his rod.
It was nearly three o'clock before
they were mounted and on the road
to Sandoe; and as they rode along,
the colonel continued to regale the
two young people with his expert
ences during the morning.
The Sandfords were simple people
OF North country tpye. now alas!
growing rare. Already "Old San
ford" as he was universally called,
was beginning to find that his daugh-
ter had imported all sorts of new
tangled ideas from her South coun-
try boarding school, that the old
house was too simple for her enlight-
ened tastes, and that even his own
little personal habits Jared upon her
sensitive nerves.
When the Broomhaugh party en-
tered the roomy, oldfashioned hall,
which was used as a sitting-room at
Sandoe, they found Old Sanford
stamping his feet after long ride.
"Ah, Win, my boy" he exclaimed.
We've got you back to the North
country again."
Then followed the introductions,
and the old gentleman shook hands
heartily with Lena and her father,
for he had no faith in those new
tangled bows with which strangers
honor one another nowadays when
they are supposed to be strangers no
longer"
"Glad to meet you, SIR he said to
the colonel, in his quick, abrupt man.
ner, with an expressive jerk of the
head, which seemed to say: II may
be an old country pumpkin, but I
know all about you"
Then he proposed an adjournment
to the summer house, where they
would no doubt find Mabel. Read
ing novels, expect" he added, with
a glance toward VINEYARD.
Mabel Sanford was indeed there,
and, moreover, she laid aside a yell
low-backed book as she rose to meet
them. VINEYARD she greeted with an
effusion which he, at least, thought
rather overdone. She was dressed
too we'll for the occasion, and her
black hair was arranged somewhat
more elaborately than was necessary.
Neverl eless, she was decidedly pref
ty, with large dark eyes Of the type
usually called fine" Ind graceful
figure full of litne strength.
Leaving the two old gentlemen to
amuse each other, VINEYARD began the
question of theatricals at once.
"Charlie is stage manager" he
said, but he asked me to get things
on as far as possible before he came,
because we have 10 time to waste
he goes to the Mediterranean next
month, and I may be called away at
any time"
ut is a shame" exclaimed Mabel
Sanford. with an exaggerated pout
of her full red lips, "the way in which
we poor females are deserted by
every one! l have not seen Charlie
for months; and as for you, Win, ]
am surprised to see you now!"
II expect" replied VINEYARD, with
rather short laugh, "that you will
be heartily tired or US both before
these theatricals come. You have
read through the piece, of course"
"Oh, yes," replied Miss Sandford.
She had just picked little spray of
monthly roses, and was fixing it in
her dress, glancing occasionally at
Mistley as she did so.
well. we want you to undertake
the longest part!"
"The heroine?"
mo. the young widow; there is a
great deal to learn, mind" replied
VINEYARD, innocently, carefully avoid
ing Lena's eyes, and meeting Mabel's
with Infinite audacity.
"If you think l can do it, l am
quite willing"
"Oh-I am certain of it. Miss
Wright will play the heroine, Char
lie the hero. and I the villain Wal
ter says he will act the old mans
part, does he not?"
"Yes. BY the bye, he is some
where in the garden. I will go and
call him."
Mabel Sanford was little disap-
pointed, but she had too much spirit
to show it; and Vineyards great in
terest in her part, displayed in the
subsequent rehearsals, at length con-
vinced her that though she was not
the heroine Of the piece, her part
was by no means unimportant.
Her brother, who presently ap-
peared, was simple, good-natured
fellow two years younger than her.
self. He openly confessed to being
mortal fright" about appearing on
the stage, but expressed an humble
readiness to do his best.
Winyard Mistley was not in thd
habit of allowing the grass to grow
beneath his feet. Without appearing
TO have or even desire his own way