Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-03-18


bowed head and busy flngers-'on
duty" as it were-quietly fulfilling
her woman's mission. Like MS
brother, he noticed then that Lena
was no longer the thoughtless, merry
girl whom he knew two years be-
fore. The same brave cheeriness
was there, but 1t was less liable to
the influence of circumstances; the
same healthy power of enjoyment,
but 1t was tempered by a greater
thoughtfulness. Something IN the
curve of her closed lip, something
perhaps in a newly acquired droop OF
the eyeiids, reminded him Of the
bravest woman he had ever known;
of one who, widowed, and the mother
of wandering sons, had .et made her
life bright one, and by seeking to
make others happy had acquired the
habit of happiness herself. What
pen could hope to follow the thoughts,
passing through mans brain? VIM
yard Mistley lay watching Lena for
about five minutes, but five pages of
mine could not tell 1.-THE OF what
was passing in his mind.
Presently he rose gravely from the
sofa, and stood for moment by the
mantle-piece, supporting himself with
both hands. His back was turned
toward Lena. and on the lean brown
face reflected In the mirror-at
which, however, he never glanced
there was a strange, restless express
sion.
Contrary to her custom, Lena
failed to look up. She did not even
ask him If there was anything he
might require. Then he slowly
turned and made his laborious way
across the room. assisting himself
with one piece Of furniture after an
other. Somehow she forgot to offer
him her help; somehow he had no
little pleasantly ready to make her
smile, and yet neither seemed to no.
tice the difference. She continued
her work-the stitches were unpicked
later on, being Of very peculiar con-
struction-and Mistley stood close
at hand, looking down upon her bent
head.
There was an humble chair at her
side, and into this he lowered him
self cautiously, after the manner OF
an old man.
Lena" he said, turning towards
her with a hungering look in his
do
man can be sure of his own mind II
the same thought has never left 1t
for nearly two years."
She bowed her head lower over
her work, still striving to make the
needle perform its right and proper
function, but answered him no word.
He leaned forward and took the
work from her hands. allowing 1t to
fall to the ground. Then he quietly
took possession of those busy fingers.
Answer me-" he whispered-"an.
swer me-"
"Yes. think so," she replied at
length
Through 1t ALL" he said eagerly,
Through danger and hope. through
work. through sleep. through hun
ger sickness and success, there has
been one thought in my brain. That
thought was Lena-Lena-Lena!
Still bending over her imprisoned
hands, she swayed unconsciously to-
ward him. Then, somehow, he found
his arms were round her, though he
had no recollection of placing them
there
Three weeks later, one afternoon
as the sun began to throw golden
ray from west to east, up the English
Channel, a gunboat moved out into
Plymouth Sound, and cast her an
chor there. The White Swallow was
ready for sea-"ready for anything"
her young commander said. Deeply
laden with coal for her long voyage,
she was as taut and trim and spark
ling as paint and polished brass could
make her.
Already the strong individuality OF
the stalwart ruler was beginning to
make itself discernible among the
members of her company. The White
Swallow was eminently quiet
ship. There was no shouting. no un-
necessary blowing of boatswain's
whistles. Everything seemed to fit
into its place-eyery man into his
duties. And yet she was not
gloomy ship for every man looked
forward to his six years absence
with serenity
About an hour before she was due
to sail boat put off from the dock
yard, and in few minutes was
alongside the gunboat Seated In the
stern of this small craft was Lau-
rance Lowe. He climbed up the
white ladder, and made his way aft
with slow but assured steps. Charles
Mistley came forward to meet him,
and they turned toward the quarter
deck together.
sit is very good of you to come"
said the young sailor.
The old man did not appear to
consider that this required an an.
swer. He looked around him criti.
cally with practiced eye. 1t was
not the first time that he had trod'
den the dock of man-ofwar, though
his recollection of such dated back to
the days OF the Crimea. He loosened