Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-05-29

a boy on see-saw. provided the boy coult
ride both ends of the see-saw at once
which suppose is an impossibility; hu
when evening came he called on the youn.
lady. She invited him TO call again
Jack did SO. In fact, he went severa
consecutive times.
Three years passed away Jack hat
studied diligently. and now for six months
had been n practicing lawyer. with ever,
prospect of success. All this time bis de
voted attention had been paid to Clio; We
in all this time not word OF love had pas.
sed between them. Jack could not and
would not ask her to love him until he
could Offer her something more tangible
than possibilities.
But now that he had won his 6rst case
and lad attained a settled business, be
felt the time to determine his fate had
come; yet how could ii be done? The
very thought distressed him. Could he
. dare he ask her? Could she know how
much her answer would mean to him p
II she said yes what happiness. success;
how much 10 live for? If she said no
he didn't care to think.
The more he thought over it, the more
he hesitatcd and the more he delayed
the harder it became. At last he determ-
incd it should be done.
Clio met him as usual with n pleasant
smile. Jack tried to smile, but il ebbed
oil over his countenauce. ard was lost in
his solemn expression just as little
wave is often lost in larger. Clio saw
that something was going to happen. and,
wonan-like. OWNED iniuitively wha. it
was. But he had kept her waiting in cus-
pcnse and uncertainty SO long that now
when it was about to come. she determin-
ed she would not help him in the least
\, length Jack began:
Clio, I'm hagius considerable bust
ness now"
Yes" said she, very demuroly, will.
quiet little nod; then relapsed into ST.
!ence without another word. Jack filgct-
ed and thought, why don't she say some
thing and keep fellow on:'
I'm right glad to hear it," said Clio.
Jack felt somehow she was sporting with
him. and flashed up.
You never heard that l didn't support
myself. did you?'
II. no. But then"
"But then? You know, Clio, that ever
since was fifteen"
Never mind" said Clio, "for It seems
as though | have heard story commeu-
cing like that before, Jack"
With that Clio smiled. and Jacks mo-
mentary displeasure vanished; yet there
was left on lis mind the underlined i'm
preston that, after al, be had been sold. /.
But the ice Of reserve was broken.
"To be plain. Clio came down to tell
you that love you
Here came long pause. Jack looked
at everything in the roor except Clio
1t was getting exceedingly embarrassing
To Jack when there came 4 quiet Well 2
from Clio.
And to say" went on Jack, as though
no interruption had occurred. that | am
in n condition to get married"
That's a very desirable situation for
any young man. am sure" said Clio;
and then she laughed that same low. rip
plng laugh he loved so. Poor fellow
why couldn't he have interpreted the love
for him which rounded aud meIlowed that
laugh? q? But no. he grew desperate. and
with the thought that she vas sporting
with him. just little angry
"I might have known how it would end
Any fellow is fool TO dangle round any
girl for three years" And he strobe to
ward the door. His hand was upon it
II might have known you wouldn't have
married me"
"But. Jack"-he turned-"you hav-
cn't asked me to-"
Haven't asked you to 2" Jack caught
the look in her eyes. The next moment
she was in his arms. and her arms round
his neck. and-wcll. the fact is Jack new
cr did ask the question.
After the first happy moments had pas
sed, and the ecstacies ofthe acknowledged
mutual love had efcrvcsced-that word
seems to express the idea about as well as
any-Jack began:
Darling. have loved YOU ever since
the first day in the grove. How long have
you cared for me p
.Since saw you standing so lonely
and looking SO down-hearted under that
pine tree"
think after that reply Jack kissed her.
[ know should had | been he.
The other day | visited Jack and his
wife. In the yard in from, of their home
| saw a small pine tree. which they tend
with the greatest care. asked Jack
where he found it. 4 smile and look
of peculiar significance passed between
him aud his wife as he answered: In the
grove