Catoctin clarion., 1917-08-23
M IA "a % "a - "a "a hAsaW
ssUNEXPECTED GUEST
BY ISABEL FROST.


duced hospitality. Her weekend par
ties were select little affairs, where you
might be sure of never meeting anyone
outside your own charmed circle.
There was never anything to jar ones
sense of the fitness Of things. One
week she would have celebrities, the
next week society crowd, and the
next she would pay back little social
obligations of her own with careful
selection of persons whom she did not
honor with her personal friendship. 1t
was on this last list that she had
placed Shane O'Moore's name. After
receiving cards to his private view OF
pictures, she had deemed it graceful
thing to write him little note, invit-
ing him, If he had the time to spare
from his arduous artistic labors, out
for q weekend at OakeSmere.
Imagine her utter amazement, then,
when he arrived absolutely without
warning in the midst of house party
composed only of the ultra select. He
bounded up the steps and made for the
spot where Mrs. Latimer stood spell
bound at his temerty.
81 knew you wouldn't mind my com
ing out today instead Of next week."
Shane said in his buoyant, artless way.
ITS 50 perfectly splendid of you to
think of me. l love your place out
here"
Bareheaded, he turned to survey the
landscape, and the nearest object his
glance fell upon was Geraldine Rogers.
Shane stood perfectly rigid, the light
of appreciation dawning In his blue
eyes, and Geraldine smiled at him. 1t
was very seldom she met any man who
! looked interesting ut Oakesmere. Later
on that evening Mrs. Latlmer found
time to stop in at Geraldine's room.
you don't know, my dear, what a
relief it Is to me to have you take that
impossible boy off my hands. always
have horror of people that you never
can tell what they're going to say next.
One has to think so to keep up with
them, and If you only say really or
doubtless you don't know what you've
committed yourself to. It's sweet Of
| you to be bothered with him."
"Oh, but I'm not bothered at all"
Geraldine replied promptly. Hes the
only interesting man I've met here. l
have an idea he is man first of all,
and like him."
O'Moore was the hit of that partlcu-
lar house party. He was prodigal with
his talent In entertaining.
1t was toward the end of his stay.
Geraldine and he had just finished
swift bout on the tennis court and
were coming up the hedge-bordered
walks that led to the terraces. The
hedge was too thick to see anyone on
the other side, but voices penetrated,
and suddenly they heard Ralph Merkle
saying in his easy drawl to Mrs. Lati-
mer:
ITS good thing that Gerry won't
know anything about 1t until she gets
+ back to town. 1t would cut her up
fearfully. Although she'll hardly for
give us for not telling her."
"Oh, I wouldn't breathe a word Of
1t for the world" Mrs. Latimer said,
1t for long while. They've both had
too much money ever since their father
died. Jack ran through his the first
year. and I'm perfectly positive she's
been holding him up ever since to keep
| back scandal
On the other side of the hedge there
rose suddenly Il rollicklng Irish tenor
voice. They could not see Gerry's face
covered by her hands. They only heard
Shane OMoore's voice.
"'Tis trouble I'd be sharing with
you, if l dared" he said softly.
"Oh, it's nothing" the girls tone was
filled with weary bitterness. i've
been expecting 1t for long while.
Jack isamy younger brother. l expect
I he's got into some sort of d mess, as
usual. l must go straight up to town.
Let me 80 for you," urged Shane.
"'Tis no place for a woman when
there's trouble afoot. Let me 80 find
the boy and keep things hushed up.
What's he been doingT
"Just sinking every dollar we both.
owned into wildcat stocks. For all L
know, l may be penniless this minute"
pray God you are" responded
Shane happily. "If 1t were only true,
I'd be at your feet this minute telling
you how loved you"
81 wonder" she said dreamily, II
wonder if"
Shane laughed recklessly, his head
upraised to the blue sky. "If / were
king, ah! love, If l were king" he
laughed. "Will you meet me two days
hence in New York-wherever you
say? I'll promise to have the boy In
hand for you"
Thursday morning Jack Rogers
stood in O'Moore's studio down on the
square. He was clear-headed and So
Der for the first time in week. Shame
turned from the telephone with slip
of paper and some figures
IF you pay everybody" he said,
you'll have nothing left but honor, me
boy. I've just been talking to your;
sister. She'll be here In five minutes,
so you'd better make up your mind
which way you're going to jump
Jack grinned u bit unsteadily.
Better pay it." he said. I'm going
to work. don't know what Gerry can
do. She can't keep up that big house,
but I'll take care of her"
Shane put his arm around the stoop-
ing shoulders in brotherly fashion.
"Shell be stopping here for while,'
he said pleasantly, until we can make
other arrangements. We're going to
be married just as soon as l can coax
her to name the very minute"