Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-10-31
GAME FOR TWO To PLAY.

ny Of Mr. MAXWELL. the gentlemen n hom
Miss Ellsworth's old friend He'd Whita.
kcr. had introduced to her cne morning
on the piazza. She had sailed with him
along the shore on the moonlight even
ings, and she bad danced with him in the
thronged drawing g-sooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not q firt, whs dis
tributed her ideals among many gentle
men, and she had found her ideal we'll
nigh realized in Mr.. MAXWELL. Only the
evening before, their talk had Withdrawn
itself from the general topics TO which each
had been congenial. and in her admifa-
ton Of his intelligence and manliness, she
had encouraged an approach to the per.
sonal sort Of conversation which relates to
love and matrimony.
And now to find Mr.. MAXWELL this
morning. with bis coat of and smiths s
apron on. engaged in mending lock =
He was doing it publicly. The lock was
on the door that led to the middle Of tie
front piazza where the fashionably dressed
ladies and gentlemen were sitting or prom
enading.
Iii, back was towards her as she ap-
preached. leaning on the arm of Anna
West. She recognized him. looked in
tently at him. gave her companion over
to party of young ladies near, and then
stopped and spoke to him.
do you like that sort Of work, Mr..
MAXWELL 2" she asked.
IL do. Miss Ellsworth. believe am
a natural mechanic
ut appears very odd TO see you doing
this"
ut is my trade" he replied, rising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek blanehcd little. Your
trade 2" she said. family.
"Yes, trade. Miss Ellsworth The pro-
pric!or said the lock needed mending, and
| told him could mend it for him"
The party of girls came along just then.
After wondering at Mr.. MAXWELL awhile
and laughing at him, they proposed a
ride.
There were three carriages for them all.
These would take the party
Ned Whitaker here joined them.
"What the deuce are you abcut here =
he exclaimed to Mr.. Maxwell. "Ab,"
he added when the latter turned and
glanced at him. '.But while you are
here you might as well enjoy Yourself"
Mr. MAXWELL excused himself from join
ing the party, ard they all went away.
leaving him to finish his work.
Miss Ellsworth left him without any
word at parting.
"lt is well." he muttercl to himself
If she cannot take me as am, she is not
worthy of me. The woman that marries
me must take me for myself"
He stood aud looked afser her until she
had disappeared. She did not once turn
to look back.
He gave his shoulders q shrug, com.
pressed his lips. uttered cynical humph
and turned to finish his work.
LET it be so :" he muttcrcd, when he
was through aud was putting on his coat.
II thought perhaps that I had found a
woman eftsr my own heart. Amidst this
world Of wealth and fashion, she, too, has
lost her soul. Let her CO."
He avoided her thereafter. He did not
seek to catch her eye for bow ofrecogui.
ton. When she entered drawing room
where he was, he would 60 out by anoth
er way. But he, was more than ever in
the company of Ned Whitaker. Ned in
passing to aud fro between Miss Ellsworth
and him, served as a sort of link between
them.
"You arc 4 cynical fellow" said Ned,
one day. why don't you take the pco-
pie as they are? You will find good
enough in them"
"Bu. they won't take me rs I am. Tha,
is the trouble"
Pooh! You see yourself that she al
lowed no other suitoss. to accompany her.
Don't you see she is alone or with the 9th
er girls tho most Of the time"
.'But her heart is full Of vanity"
"Pshaw she Is trained to luxurious
notions, that's ALL"
Mainwelrs trunk was awaiting him and
the stage. outside on the piazza, at the
time this conversation was going on. On
the trunk were his initials, e.. nj. Mis-.
Ellsworth. passing that way. saw the ini.
tials. not BY chance. for she had been very
busy scrutinizing the trunks that lay to.
ge,her in q pile-and when she saw the
initials she started aud turned pale. She
recovered herself. and withdrew with heI
companion little way, and then stood
still and watched. Presently Mr.. Main.
well came out with Ned on the piazza.
lie chanecd to turn his eyes towards her
aud their eyes met-met for the first time
since she had leh him while he was a
work upon the lock. She did not tur,
away her eyes. She bowed. He lifted
his hat. The ice was btetru. He ap
preached her to bid her good bye.
What the conversation vas that cnsue,
between the tao when ,cft alone, BY mean
Of Ned's ingenuity in spiriting away Oh
rest Of the company 10 unknown, save tn
following:
"But am alocksmith. !" said Mr.. Main
well.
"No matter"
care you willing 70 live Is the wife o
one who with his hands eatas his dali.
bread =
IL am willing to undergo anyAing :
be with you. l have suffered enough
During these last few days hate learne
what is is TO despair Of being united to u
one love-"
"fsut your n.other-your father"
"unless I am willing 10 leave them fa
your sake. ann not worthy Of yea"
''But then the loss Of wealth. Of pos
ltion, Of che Surroundings Of refinement.