Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-09-28
HILDRED HAYNE-HER CROSS.

Hilelrcd Hayne and her lover rode slow.
Aly along the sandy road, skirtcd BY the
sheltering pines. whose yellow needles
thickly strewcd the ground. Not word
had she spoken since they passed. from the
sight of others. and now Henry Stanley
bent his head that he might look under
the brown hat which jealously shaded still
browncr eyes, anI said: -.g
IL shall not talk to myself. that's GER
tain. ain going to take you out upon
those gray old rocks; who knows but they
were piled up for our special use ages upon
ages ago?"
As her feet touched the FIRST slippery
step of the sea-washed wall. she broke
from bis OBTAINING hand and ran mp to the
dark, forbidding summit, where the waves
had never dared venture unless lashed to
fury by the storm-fcnd himself. There
she stood, her hat thrown back. and her
arms held out to the restless, sobbing sea.
''Oh God. help me give me strength -"
All night she had battled with her sor-
row and fought singlc-handed the tempta-
ton which it brought. And yet that is
not true for no one can he unaided who
prays; the hand may be invisible, but it
il there. and il is only our lack Of faith
that keeps US from seeing tho hosts that
are interested for u.s. -..I
Stanley had come before she had set
tied what to do, and she accepted his in
vitation to ride. thinking to gain strength
of mind and body through the cool, bra
cling Autumn air. Instead, il had only
made her desperate. so when her lover
climbed up to her side and held out his
hand, she placed within it letter, which
she ha6 received the night before.
What is this. Iiilla? What face
you have! Is it m5 death warrant or
yours ?"
There came no Answer. and he. spread
ing out the carriage robe. made a scat.
where he placed her and then turned his
attention to the letter. One, rapid glance
and it held him as IL ciain- boiind by its
contents. The flush came out and died
away from his countcnance; he seemed to
have forgotten the face opposite that was
taking note SO eatefully If every change in
his. ft, IL.
A wild, discordant, almost maniac
laugh. brought him to his feet in an in
slant. and when he met Hildred's eyes,
with question in them, he was not ready
20 answer without time to deliberate.
.'Hildrcd. are you mocking me? 1t is
unlike you. Are you trying to test my
lovc ?"
lie took her in his arms and covered
her face with kisses. She might have
been dead for all answer or token that he
received. though hts ,ightcst carcss had
brought the bloom 10 her check hereto
f,re.
when did you get this, Iiilla, and
what does il meanr' ...
She freed herself before she made an
sWsr.
1T came last evening after you left me,
and 10 means just what il says"
AID then she nestled up to him again,
for be was so much to her, and this blon
had come 30 suddenly. .....
What that hour was to them no one
may tell. not even the pity'hg angels Who
passed so close with helpful hands. At
the end they walked arm in arm down the
rough. uneven way on the last step, wet
and slippcry with weeds and foam, they
,sarried as by the side Of o grave freshly
covered pcrchancc they both raised a
head-stone to their buried hopes.
Stanley might have written upon his.
Ambitions Fame and Wealth !" for in
the darkness there seemed nothing purer
or hohlcr left TO him. Hildred's would
have been simply . cross, for, poor soul.
ssic had no gift Of prophecy 10 gauge The
distance between that and her crown. I
am not sure that she bad any thought be-
sond the heavy burden laid upon her.
In her school days she had been led into
Q foolish marriage with Gilbert Hayne.
and at twenty found herself stripped Of the
greater part OF her fortune and deserted
BY the man who had promised to love aud
cherish her upsil death.
When the news cama thst hss was one
Of q large number who were killed BY .
terrible accident, she could not be sxpse.
ted 10 grieve very long or deeply. and she
no longer feared TO meet the earnest caxe
Of young Ssasley's eyes:d II Il pcss;ble
she realized her bsiglA. besssifal life.
dream more intensely because Of the shad-
ew whica had once rested upon her. In
the midst Of her joy came that cruel let
Ger from Gilbert Haync. bidding her Be
ready 10 receive him al no distant day.
That ride hsek vas Ike sae Lass scene
IN fanersf pagcsnt, the going hcsue ftum
the tomb. empty handed to The aesolate
Yooms- ,s ~ 80 ~
.sI cannot leaye you uow u;u.. ~.