Catoctin clarion., 1911-12-21

of a youthful romance and early de-
parture from home. No one ever
Cared broach the subject and 1t had
long since been forgotten.
As Charles Stearns gazed into the
fire In the library Of his home. the
Pickering light seemed to recall days
of the past In fancy he saw again his
toyhood home, his parents and ac-
quaintances. How little they had been
TO him for so long time!
Quarterly stipends he had supplied
to the old folks. yet he had never
heeded the call they sent out for their
only son.
As the man sat musing. he spoke
aloud:
~ believe l am getting sentimental.
/ think ] shall surprise the old folks
and pay them visit for Christmas. s."
A thought meant an act with
Stearns. His mind once made up, 1t
took much to change It, His decision
to return to the farm for the holiday
gave him pleasure. He could hardly
await the time when he was to start
He bought presents for the old folks
He remembered his fathers delight In
watches. One OF the finest to be had
went into the satchel for him. The silk
for a new dress made up portion OF
what he planned for his mother.
1t was a long journey to the old
homestead. The train sped onward
and each moment made the nan more
anxious to see his people and the old
place again. BAT snddenly a thought
occurred to him and his face blanched.
He had forgotten; Stella Harrington
might still be there
All the memories Of the past were
swept aside and he thought only OF
ler
Once she had promised to make him
happy. AS he thought Of that time. he
sighed deeply SIZE had altered his life
last and threw him over.
He recalled the jeers OF his boyhood
companions as they sneered their
rough witticisms ut him. 1t was the
way of the country and he could not
stand the finger of scorn and had fed
That was in the long ago and he had
almost forrotten---until now.
AS the train stHrred at the little
station on the hill 1t seemed as II
he had lett it ony Yesterday.
But nowhere was George White.
the old agent? A young man filed
his place. The driver o. the stage
was another stranger Old Eb Brown
was also a thing of the past.
None knew the portly middle-aged
man as re strobe towards the coach
that piled between station and town
There was a moments pause, while
the driver gathered the mail, az old
Eb had done SO many times, and they
were Off
AS the rig ratified over the rough
roads the man within watched with
interest the scenes of his youth TIE
town had changed little In the years
that had passed.
When the coach paused at the old
homestead the mans eyes filled with
tears. A woman came from the house;
mother ard son were IN each others
arms.
On the porch stood his father TO
We come the man h re. with misty
eyes the united family stood, All
hearts were full. The parents hore'
had been realized and the prodigal
had come home.
''How cou'd have remained away
80 long," he asked again and again
as the old. folks brs'led about. trying
to make him comfortable.
"And Charlie, you are now bank
er they tell u.s." said his mother. "You,
who LETT us so long ago, ar the image
OF your father at your age
"My boy" spoke the father, ut has
been long time since you went away.
but we ere mighty glad to have you
back again"
The sons heart was too full for
words. There was one. question he
would like to ask but the words re-
fused to come.
Charlie" questioned his mother,
have you ever seen Stella since the
day you went away? know ought
not to speak of this, but must"
Mother" All boys anguish came
forth In that word AS of yore he
buried his face In the parents lap and
cotbed.
She stroked his now thinning locks
and the, touch was magical. Why had
he lost his parents for so many years?
His Joy was too much, too good, to
last
II have never seen her." he said at
last; never since the day she prom
ls.d to be my wife and then as quick
ly refused to marry me-"
my poor boy. do YOU remember
Steve Briggs?--the one that wore the
fine clothes? He had much to do with
Stella's refusal to keep. her promise.
"She never told me just what he
said, but it was enough to make her
throw you over. You would never
come back and she was too proud to
write"
Where is Stella now, mother?"
asked the man.
"She lives in the old place by the
creek. Charlie, you remember it
with all the apple trees behind the
house?"
Well did the man remember the
orchard where, he, had spent the au-
tumn evening with his sweetheart.
That evening found Stearns walk