Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-03-28

certainty. His instincts urged him
to expose the fraud, yet his heart COM
PEELED him to silence. That silent ap-
peal had kindled his chivalry. He re-
solved to give her the benefit OF the
doubt and not take any action Whlcn
might work to her detriment
He found himself watching with
feverish impotence for the appear
ance Of the significant personal" and
when 1t appeared he was surprised at
the weight that was lifted from his
anxious mind.
II he had entertained any doubts OF
the shrinking girls adherence OF the
odious fraud, these doubts were dis
sipated on this evening He longed to
shields her from the brutal gaze OF
the vulgar audience. The intentness
of his gaze again drew her eyes to his
and then, reading the unmistakaple
admiration and pity there, she colored
and hastily withdrew.
"Ah, my boy" was the lecturers
greeting, your interest encourages
me. hope that you are absorbing the
beautiful and precious teachings OF
our sublime philosophy. Remember.
Thoughts are Things"
Eyes, yes" replied John, irritably.
"but when"
The man interrupted him with
deprecating wave Of the hand. "Ah.
my dear young friend, you must con-
troll your Impotence. Oh, the gross
ness of mortal passion" and he sigh
ed sorrowfully.
After the lapse of another seeming
ly never.ending week the summons
was again issued, and John set out
for the meeting place with a firm de-
termination of forcing a meeting with
Iris.
But when he reached the rendez-
vous his expectations were dashed
The hall was dark and empty. lnquir-
les failed to elicit any satisfactory In
formation.
Skipped, guess" said the janitor
"The old geezer paid the rent for
tonight, but l guess he got scared
off. Theys been newspaper man
nosin' round here for a couple OF
days"
With his spirits thus at the lowest
ebb, his hopes received sudden and I'M
expected animation. In reading the
cults customary and tormenting no
tice, his attention was arrested by
meaningless tumble at the end. 1t
read thus: "Nfpojbo Ibmm.'
Evidently the phrase had been In
serted for a purpose. He returned to
the paper and studied it long and care
fully. His efforts were unavailing,
however, and he could make nothing
out OF the message. If message 1t was.
Then he thought of Middleton.
friend of an investigating turn, with
hobby for ciphers. He went to him.
Middleton glanced at the melange
OF letters and said:
"Moenian hall. Does that convey
anything?"
Does it?" cried John excitedly.
Why, old man. that means everything
to me-"
His citation knew no bounds when
he stepped into the dingy hall that
evening and surprised a meeting OF
the society.
He rejoiced in Iris look Of relief
and satisfaction when she beheld him
and when the meeting closed he ad.
vanced determinedly to the plat.
form.
Il want to see Iris" he demanded
succinctly
He ignored the others protestations
and resolutely forced his way past
the lecturer and into the little ante
room. AS he closed the door behind
him she advanced with a little cry Of
JOY.
You saw it?" she questioned
eagerly.
His heart leaped "Then-then 1t
was for me?" he asked triumph
antly.
She nodded confusedly.
why did you send for me?" he de-
manded.
Ill" She faltered and stopped.
"Why?" he insisted, and her heav.
ing bosom and radiant eyes gave the
answer.
Iris" he whispered, softly. what
is it?"
"Oh, this loathsome trickery," she
burst out vehemently. Take Inc away
from it: take me away" And she
chung to him in a frenzy Of weep
ing.
There, there" he assured her
soothingly. "of course l will, and II
that old duffer interferes, III punch
his head"
She laid a protesting hand upon his
arm. Don't" she pleaded. He is
my father
"Oh." he said, with sudden illumina.
ton, that explains It,"
He wheeled and drew her closer to
him as the door opened. He met her
fathers glance composedly and bore
the mans TRADE of abuse calmly.
"Old man." he said quietly when
the other paused, you're a fakir and
could run you out Of town II wish
ed, but you're her father, SO that lets
you out. Go on with your sixth sense
nonsense, II you want to, but you'll
have to get a new. priestess. Iris and
| are going to start little cult of
our own"
Indoor Journeys.