Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-04-30

She was shown into the old-fashioned
dining room by the old-fashhoheu
seryant-man she remembered SO well,
and told, in exactly the same words
and the same tone that she had hearu
him use to Miss Lynch ever since she
was little child, that Mr.. Clithero
had expected her, and that Mr.. Cllthero
would be glad if she would take n seat
and rest until he could have the pleas
ure of waiting on her.
She took q seat and waited; and was
conscious that she fell to examining
the pictures upon the wall with the
same nervous attempt ut unconcern
with which one attempts to bridge over
the awful interval of time before being
admitted to a dentists inner torture
chamber. She felt stifled, she turned
hot and cold by turns; and 1t was an
actual relief when, at length, her
guardians noiseless step gllded into the
room, and she knew that her time had
come; the rack was to be felt-its tor
ture imagined no more.
Mr.. ClitherO was fine specimen or
the now nearly extinct class of Old
fashioned London lawyers. His man
ners belonged, like his straight-cut coat
collars, and lawn cravat, and dainty
shoes, to generation gone by; ana
Jane had never felt quite at ease in
presence of that elaborate urbanity
which, while too stately to be obse-
uuious, vet delivered itself in periods
too rounded, and with bows and smiles
too finished, to have the effect upon
her gir,ish Imagination of coming from
anywhere at all near the old mans
heart.
Miss Lynch is well, trust? Ner-
vous; ah, dear, dear.-poor lady! we
have had a very unhealthy season in
town, very unhealthy. You will find
the sun warm there, my dear Miss
Jane" and he bowed her to place OPP
posite his own armchair; an awful,
busness-lkc, OminOus proximity 1t
seemed to the poor girls trembling
heart. You have had something to eat
since your arrival in town? No: then
let me offer you Il glass of sherry ana
a biscuit. My dear young lady, l must
really insist upon it. Miss Lynch, l
am sure, would make you take some
refreshments after so long Journey
And then the bell was rung, and the
solemn old man-servant WAS requested
to bring in wine; and Jane, in spite or
her protestations that she required
none, was forced to take some, ana
listen all the time to Mr.. Clithero's
bland remarks about the heat of the
weather, and the height at which the
thermometer had stood Oh such day,
and the likelihood that the papers
seemed to say there was CT an ample
harvest and the likelihood, also, OF
war between Spain and America; with
other such cnlivening and momentous
subject of public interest.
But the glass of wine rallied her
courage, as the old lawyer-with his
perfect knowledge of all the lower
mechanism of human nature-intendcd
1t should do.
"Sir," she cried, suddenly, and before
usual show of fruit now to be seen
at Covent Garden, 81 have come here
to-day upon what believe Is to be
painful errand. have come to you to
hear the history Of my fathers life.
l never knew him, Mr.. Clithero-l
never knew either of my parents. 1t
is right, now that am woman, that
l should be told more concerning
them"
Mr.. ClitherO had faint-very faint
attack of coughing, and looked ut the
ring upon his hand, not in Jane Grand's
face.
II have received letter from Miss
Lynch on the subject" he remarked,
"and | must congratulate you, dear
Miss Grand, upon the circumstances
which have rendered our present inter-
view necessary"
81 have been very fortunate, sir. l
have won the regard of man who
does not think my poverty or want of
friends any bar to my becoming his
wife,"
Here her voice trembled painfully.
"Mr. Mohun of Yatton," remarked
Mr.. Clithero. "a very old family, the
Mohuns; and this young gentleman, I
am told, comes into his property unen-
numbered"
"The old family and the great estate
are the only things that seem against
nv happiness" said Jane, with
broken smile. "Pcrhaps' it might be
better If Gifford-if Mr.. Mohun-and
myself were not so widely separated
by rank and fortune"
"My dear young friend, rank ana
fortune were never bars in the way
/ of any ones happiness. Rank and for
tune can live down n great many
things. Rank and fortune may enable
man to take step, to incur re-
proach even, which, If he were little
poorer, or little lowlier born, he
would not have the courage to take
upon him."
ia te looked hard into Mr.. Clithero's
face, and this time his eyes met hers.
She read there look, not so much OF
( positiye pity or of softness, as Of hesi-
tation: and she knew that he was try
ing to brhing her gradually to truth
bitterer-harder to bear-than she had
dreamed Of.
"What is there to live DOWN." she
cried. "What reproach will Clifford
have to take upon himself in marrying