Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-02-29
And twenty years passed by.

tie OF trial or change.
She still dwelt in her old home. though
her fashionable mother had long since left
it TO share the mansion Of merchant prince
upon Fifth avenue.
Margaret felt no desire to share the
splendor of which the late widow was so
incrdinately proud. The dear old home
stead was grand and good enough for her.
and the dearer, If the truth must be told.
since that iarring presence was removed.
So she dwclt there quietly, with maiden
aun. for chaperon and companion: and
all her schoolmates were married. and she
alone remained as ever. Margaret Gray:
1t was not. however. for lack Of offers
that she lived this single, solitary life
Many lover had come to WOO; for brown
curls aud dark soft eyes, and rosy checks
and Grecian features. and perfect lips do
not often go begging for purchaser when
backed by such fortune as Margare. pos
sessed. She had suitors by the score, uu-
til it came publicly to he understood that
she would rather see the suitors at dis
tancc, or wooing some one else After
that no one ven,urcd to try his luck with
Judge Gray's heiress. and the rejected
lovers consoled themselves as speedily rs
possible by marrying the prcrtiest Of her
friends
Margaret went cheerfully to each we'd
ding. wished the bridegroom joy and gave
to the brides some beautiful and valuable
gifts. Evidently she was then wearing
the willow" for no one. What could the
meaning of cclibacy so determined be?
And the days and years went on. And
3 birthday came at last. which showed
how a school girl Of fifteen was now the
woman Of thirty-fve.
On that day. Margaret. arranged her
abundant tresses before the glass, saw the
6rst gray hair. '-.
She stopped to look at it with a melan-
choly smile. ..--.-.. q.
''Ah. he would not say was too young
now" she exclaimed.
And just then tap came at the door.
and the servant entered and brought her a
card. ....
The gentiman is btlow. Miss Marga-
ret. and would like to speak with you, If
convenient" said the g"l.
Margare: looked at the card.
"ELLIsoN STRONG"
The room reeled round and round, and
she turned SO pale that the girl was fright
cned.
"Sure. Miss Margaret. it is i'll that We
are. and Ill 60 down and send the geu-
tleman away"
"No. no" said Margaret. recovering
her eomposure with an effort. "Help me
to finish dressing. Kate must see him :"
Kate with a woman's quickn 50 Guessed
something Of the truth. and did her best
to make her mistress look as pretty as pos
sible.
With the old color in her cheek, and
she old happy light in her soft. brown eyes.
Margaret stole down the stairs But At
the parlor door sudden though. startled
and checked her.
II am thirty five years old to-day. and
he is now a man Of fifty. He has been
away for twenty years. How can hope
or fancy shat he has remembered NE all
this time as have thought Of him.
A little sobered by this misgiving. she
opened the door.
She looked for man almost stranger;
a man bent and bowed with the cares OF
twenty years; man whose brow was fur
rowed. and whose sia;ucsque beauty gone
as If il had never been
And she saw before her Ellison Strong
as she had seen him the very day of their
parting twenty years before Stately aud
as erect rs ever. with brilliant color on
his cheek. and his blue eyes flashing with
ell the Are Of carly youth. and no, trace
Of care or soryoE TO uIar the beauty which
,he remembered 80 we'll lie sprang 70
mcc, her, an! took her By the hanf and
lacked down into her eyes with search-
ing. Utmost impcrious glance.
Margaret. said the deep, sweet voice.
whose music was unchanged. i have siaid
away from you whole lifetime; and a,
last, the craving 20 see or hear Of you
grew to strong to be denied, came ex-
peciing 10 End you happy wife. with
your children at your knee. aud here you
are. solitary ani alone. though young and
beautiful as ever How is tha,!"
She could not answer With those blue
eyes searching her dropping face 20 in
,ently. But deep crimson blush rose slow.
ly to her cheek eide. and spoke for her
far more eiolucn:ly than even words could
do.