Catoctin clarion., 1918-02-21
Inthe Dark
By oERvEIsE FLOYD

They were old, humble, but heart
some people Of the old-fashioned kind,
simple in their lives, and love and
friendship were exemplified as natural,
earnest emotions, devoid Of guile. The
young folks had their social gather
ings, parties, barn dances and husking
bees, custom and mild superstitions,
like Halloween fiction lending charm
to especial occasions. Quite In the
course Of events each Darby found
his Joan, and at last Rodney Trumbull
was sure he had discovered his.
There was not sweeter or prettier
girl in Rockton than Ivy Lane, and
Rodney had known her for about a
year. The parents Of both smiled In
diligently upon the manifest mutual
sentiments Of the couple. Rodney re-
garded Ivy as a being ethereal. He
was so imbued with a sense Of her
priceless perfection that he grew abash-
ed when he dared to hope he was to
gain the love of this peerless creature,
naturally Of a shy nature, he had made
little progress in his lovemaking.
There was to be a party at the home
of Ivy. and about a week before that
Rodney saw her home from a church
social. As they were about to part
at the garden gate he mustered up the
courage to disclose what had been ur-
gently upon his mind for many hours.
"Ivy," he said, "when come to the
party at your house next Wednes-
day, want you to accept little keep
sake from me. VIII your"
"But you gave me lovely bouquet
of roses only yesterday and"
"But this isn't roses. want to give
you a ring"
"Oh, Misunderstanding" laughed
Ivy.
"It's coming from the city, where l
have ordered 1t, and II you will only
wear 1t on your engagement finger"
"There Is mother calling. Good night.
Rodney" and Ivy fitted away, prob
ably happier than she had ever been
in her life.
"She did not say she wouldn't ac-
cept the ring" breathed Rodney cour-
ageously. and counted the hours till
the arrival Of the evening party. Ivy
received him with gracious smile
that set every nerve tingling, but as
the hostess Of the evening she could
give him no further exclusive atten-
ton. A Miss Lisle fell to his charge,
partly through the efforts of the young
lady in question to make It so, and In
all courtesy Rodney found himself set
tied as partner and escort for the oc-
casion to that flashing beauty from the
city, temporarily visiting a married Sis
ter in ROckton.
Miss Lisle was siren In mild
way. While she despised what she
termed the crude social ways of Rock
ton, she set herself up as desperate
flirt, and had half the girls by the ears
because of her audacious appropria-
ton of their beaux. Now 1t seemed
that she had set about the conquest OF
Ivy's poor lone lamb, VINO, although
thus singled out by the brilliant queen
of beauty, longed only for one mo-
ment's sweet converse with the real
idol Of his heart.
At last Rodney, watching his chance,
saw Ivy dart through the doorway Of
a darkened wing room to reach the
front hall as there were some arriv-
ais. Rodney hastened into the unlit
apartment. He clutched an escaping
figure.
"The ring!" he whispered ardently.
"Here 1t Is. You will make me so
happy to wear 1t on your engagement
finger"
The yielding form fluttered in his
arms.
"You-you wouldn't kiss me, would
your" he added In wild desperation.
A pair of lips met his own. He
seemed in paradise. Voices neared.
They parted precipitately. Rodney has
tened back to crowded room and
sank to a chair, feeling as If the world
had been won. He was In such state
of rhapsody that he wished to be
alone. He looked up with shock.
He made out Ivy, and smiled at her.
She seemed to turn her back on him.
She was speaking to Miss Lisle, who
was animatedly fiourishing ring on
her engagement finger, and glanclng
knowingly In the direction Of Rod
ney.
The latter was crushed. He real
lied the truth in flash. He had not
met and kissed Ivy In the dark, but oh {;
fatal blunder, Miss Lisle. She came
toward him now In her artful way Of
gracefulness.
II have just been telling our dear
mutual friend, Miss Lane, Of your
pretty present" she said. "And oh !!
Mr.. Trumbull, I promised sister to be
home by eleven, and 1t Is now nearly
midnight. Won't you see to my
wraps" and almost without realizing
1t Rodney was hustled out Of the
house and Miss Lisle was languishly
hanging on his arm, prattling pretty
nothings in the mellow moonlight.
He hated himself as an arrant cow
ard as he left Miss Lisle at the door
of her sisters home. She was fash
ing flame of coquetry, she plainly con-
sidered that they were engaged, she
insisted on his joining herself and her
friends In an auto drive the next aft
ernoon.
II will tell her plainly Of the error
she Is laborlng under. And l must
see Ivy!" resolved Rodney. But when
he rang at the door bell of the Lane
home the next day, Mrs. Lane received
him coldly and stated that Ivy was in
disposed. AS Rodney went out Of the
Sr---s-----a-s. So ".-'--