Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-05-13
LLOYD KINGMAN'S RIVAL.

L
sweet; the eyes, so d,rk AMI luminous
the chesnut brown hair, so utterly beau
tiful. Yet she look "a so innocent Of her
fate. standing there in the red light ofthc
damask curtains, all unc IN scious of Lovl
klngman's eyes, that one could not hope
she would pass unscathed the ordeal OF
that bad mans thoughts.
When she felt his hand h.i touched
her shoulder she started.
"Mr Kingmau :"
"Madge."
Her soft eyes dilated-she attempted
to retreat but be prevented the move
msnt.
Don't b. afraid of M, chill. Ihavo
something to say to YOU"
Her face was not encouraging, but he
overlooked; as vas characteristics, her
wish.
Il love you. | want YOU 30 b, my
wife. D>nt shrink from me in that vav.
You have nothing to be afraid Of |
want to take care Of you and make yor
happy"
She stood silent, trembling.
=" ou do no~know where live 1t is
is beautiful place. full oftrees and foun-
tains. and arbors covered with blossomed
vines. The house is full of warm, rich
rooms, where you could wander all day,
and constantly find something new and
beautiful There Is little bou loir, robrd
in crimson, that has always been waitin Q
for my wife. 1t has pictures ani couch
es, and soft swinging lights in alabsster,
for dark winter nights like this Thcro
is splendid library. holding thousands
of volumes. Mid.e You love to real, I
know There you will find all the fairy
tales and poetry that you want, little one
viii you come p
She shook her head tremblingly.
You need not pro mise now. Listen
have something n,>re to tell vol
Madge, | have wealth and power, bus nc
one to love me. You can mako me hap
py. Is that any consideration to your
kind heart ?"
Sic lifted her eyes to his face. The,
fell again,
Bat do not love you," .ho said sim
ply.
Let me teach you," be said.
She tried to think; drew quick breath.
"Don't be troubled" he slid. Il will
give you all the time you want. Only
wear this to remember me by, for am
going away tomorrow to be absent a
Eeel: J."
As he spoke be slipped golden clrcler
on her little hand ring Of diamonds
glittering like f,m,.
At the same moment some one entered
tho roon-'he public boarding hou-. par
lor-and Madge escaped, bevidere1.
obheious Of everything bu; her furiol.ly
beating heart and the weight Of jewels
upon her hand.
She locked hers If in her room, throw
ing her rself upon the bel, and b1rying
herself in the pillows; but that did not
prevent her from hearing the wheels Of
Mr.. Kingman's coupe grini away from
the door. II came there often, bat she
never knew that she had been the attrlc-
lion. She saw it all now. it made her
dizzy.
Sae lay there long time, getti9g rest
less at length. and tossing fevcri,hlJ as
it grew dark.
AZ last she rose, lighted little lam ,,
and knelt down before her trunk. The
light fell into it as she drew ont li.tle
box and op2uei it. She turned some let
;srs over hastily. and drew o.: photo
graph.
L was msn's heai-s frank young
face. every line pure and high tonei.
Tue girl looked a: it with swimming
eyes.
Martin, how could you forget y she
murmured.
Then she l.il the box away, and walk
ed the floor until utterly exhausted.
4 week of daily toll and care-.hc old
rourd-brought the sirl's resolution. She
looked Al the sparkling ring and saw easc,
comfort. protection on tie ether side
was ouly loneliness and toll. The alter
native that should have been was not
The soldier lover had proved f4l<e; the
man she did love with al her heart had
forgotten her the romance was ended
aud here vas bic1k, but f]r this ner
ePiso1e.