The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-01-23

was seldom a man did that She
had actually danced four times with
Roger Meredith; It was quite against
her strict code that now she was sit
ting out with him in a dark corner.
1t was the evening of the Medford
ball; all the country was there--the
big FISH and the small fry; 1t was a
gay aud animated scene; curious
glances were cast at Clara and her
partner, for she was the big catch of
the country. Little was known of
Roger Meredith beyond the fact that
he was a handsome scapegrace, and
the Bishop OF Radford's nephew.
"He is almost man I could care
for" laughed Clara Stanhope to her
Self; "and what is there to prevent
him liking me? have youth, good
looks and money, and am tired of a
lonely life; he may be scamp-very
likely he is, but / can afford to marry
whom I would, and like this maj
hugely"
"I am leaving this section to-mor-
row morning." Roger Meredith's
voice broke in suddenly on the girls
meditation; $50 tonight will mean
good-by for many years, 1 am afraid.
am off to the far West"
"You are going abroad?"
"Yes-for some time. Harki they
are striking up a waltz. Shall we
dance 1t together?"
impossible. Lady Halcross, who
Is chaperoning mel am staying
with her, you know-ordered the car
riage at 2.30 sharp. 1t is nearly that
now, and she hates to keep the horses
waiting. I am afraid l must go and
get my cloak. You will not be stop
ping with your uncle again before
you go aboard?"
mo; so this is good-by. have
barely known you for three weeks,
Miss Stanhope, yet can assure you
that you are the only woman l have
ever regretted saying good-by to-"
His speech and manner were uncon-
ventional, but there was a ring OF
truth in the voice.
Clara Stanhope caught her breath;
she realized that for the first time
in her life man had touched her
heart. She found no pleasure in her
maiden freedom and almost mascu-
line independence; she became frank
ly primitive and wholly natural.
Crirasoning even to her brow, she
asked, slowly:
why should we say good-by?"
"My friends call me a bad card
besides, I've fallen on evil ways. II I
had met your earlier in my life
Wn11 Wa1I xyno oil
chessboard; so goodnight, Miss STAN
hope-and good-by."
"As you like, but remember IL you
ever care to see me again, am twen-
ty-eight, and my own mistress"
She gathered up the folds Of her
tulle ball gown and stood up, tall
and splendid specimen of young wom-
anhod. She was brown-haired, with
deep coloring; she carried herself su-
perbly, and wore, as few women
could. magnificent tiara of emer-
alds-a famous Stanhope heirloom.
Roger Meredith caught her hands
impulslvely.
If you were only beggar girl, I'd
take you abroad with me; out to a
new life in the West"
Il might not CO."
"Ahl but you would CO." He
dropped her hands, saying, as he
turned away, ITO each one his own
destiny. / have met you a year too
late"
Have your" She spoke in clear,
low voice, then moved forward, and
In few seconds was lost to sight
Roger Meredith followed her with
his eyes till the crowd hid her from
MS view, then he sighed shortly, and
turned irritably on nervous-looking,
fair-haired man who was advancing
to meet him, and said:
Il thought you were never coming,
Harry. Is my horse ready?"
Yes; Jim Is waiting with It in
the shrubbery; it's almost time to
start. Have you found out from the
girl what time the Halcross carriage
was ordered?"
"Yes, for $50; and it wants four
minutes now."
we are In luck tonight, Roger
Lady Halcross is wearing most of her
diamonds. You will SCOOP an i'm
mense sum with the old lady's Jewels.
to say nothing of Clara Stanhope's
emeralds."
Job" ~
What! Showing the white feather
at this hour? Besides, there's no
risk, my dear boy! Who would rec
ognize you in Grape mask, or sus-
pect the bishops nephew? There's
not been a knight OF the road In
these quiet country lanes for the last
eighty years. 1t will wake the good
ioik up-give them something TO talk
about"
Blame the good people; it's a
hatetul Job robbing women. tell
you l won't do 1t, Harry"
you seem to have forgotten tina.
women have pretty we'll robbed you
Also that unless you can square old
Levi within the next few weeks he
VIII come down smartly on that
young brother of yours. The young
ster was a deuced fool to forge yoar
Iather's signature, OF course: still
you took him TO see Vera, knowing
her and her kind"
i know did. Well, he shall have
the four thousand all right. ana GET
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