Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-12-11


air of a martyr and keep the whole
United States upset for weeks. He
knows that the girl can't and won't
visit his gents furnishing store to ask
about dollar shirt for her father and
make 1t an excuse for looking at him
in heart-broken way and limiting that
she has consumption and not long
to tarry. No, she can't and won't
come, and that's another crouch to
add to his stock. She ought to send
little note-she ought to do this and
that. and he keeps right on the don
key Job till Destiny gets mad and
slam-bangs him.
The cousin from the west married
girl in village five miles away and
went home to his steers and his al.
kali, and of course young Aikens got
the news. That was another Crouch.
Why didn't Miss Fanny deny the gos-
sip more vigorously? Why didn't she
roll up her eyes. raise her right hand
and say in loud firm voice:
Randolph, swear to high heaven
can never love anybody but thee!"
Had she 80 sworn? Not by a Jug
full! Very well; let her suffer for the
omission.
Mr. Aikens' furnishing store closed
at eight o'clock In the evening. He
always went home by particular
route. Miss Fanny was aware Of this,
but had she thrown herself In his
way and given him good evening and
a show? Not blamed throw, and
when he thought 1t over he fairly
gritted his teeth.
WeeL. passed. Then he got the
habit of taking evening walks along
the riverside He would wander out
on an old dock and sit on an old bar
rel and sigh and cuss couple OF
hours and then head for home saying
he didn't care rap for my girl that
ever wore hobble skirt.
On this night-On this particular
night-the moon rode high, to be high
er than the cost Of living. The little
waves of the river Tapped at the olG
dock, as they had been trained to do
from infancy. From various quarters
came plaintive walls of the bullfrogs
and now and then dog barked or an
owl hooted.
1t was a night for reflection. 1t was
night for a young man who had made
a donkey of himself to sit and think
whether the best dollar shirt could not
be sold for 90 cents and then make 80
per cent profit? Also to wonder how
he came to do 1t! Also, to wonder
why some mutual friend didn't take
hold of the matter and make it his
or her business to bring about re-
conciliation! Also, lots Of other
things.
A step on the dock!
1t was too late in the season for
assassins. None of the ministers in
town We're given to walking in their
sleep, 1t was light step-a human
step-not that of COW. 1t came on.
1t halted beside him. One-two,
three minutes the owner of that step
waited before whispering the name,
Randolph"
The young man looked up and gave
start 1t was Fanny!
Never in this world will it be admit.
ted that she knew of his presence and
had come to make up. 1t Is thou
sand chances to one that she thought
he was up at Troy buying his fall
stock of collars and cuffs. Anyhow,
she was there.
1t has been stated that the dock
was old and rickety. 1t was strong
enough to withstand fair start, when
he heard his name lovingly whispered
That dock sighed and groaned and
staggered and went down under the
strain.
Two feet of water and two Of mud,
but it was enough. After the lovers
had Topped around for awhile the
girls life was saved and the youns
nan climbed out beside her. They
we're very wet and very muddy. but
they were very happy. Each had for
~iven the other, and the collar market
gas firm at one for 15 cents, or two
or quarter.
Copyright 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)