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

ride both ends of the see-saw at once.
which suppose is an impc.sitility; but
when evening came he called on the young
lady. She invited him TO call again
Jack did so. In fact, he went several
consecutive times.
Three years passed away. Jack had
studied diligently. aad now for six months
had been practicing lawyer. with every
prospect of success. All this time his de-
voted attention bad been PAID to Clio; yet
in all this time not q word ,ct love Esd 7as-
-sed bstweeR them. Jack could not and
would net ask her to love him until he
could offer her something more tangible
than possibilities.
But now that he had won his first case
and had attained a settled business, he
felt the time to determine III, fate had
come; yet how could it be done? The
very thought distressed him. Could he
dare he ask her? Could she know how
much her answer would mean to him -
II she said yes what happiness. success:
how much to live for? Ifshe said no
he didn't care to think
The moro he thought over it, the more
he hesitatcd and the more he delayed
the harder it became. At last he determ-
ned it should be done.
Clio met him as Usual with a pleasant
smile. Jack tried to smile, but it ebbed
off over his countenance, ard was lost in
his solemn expression just as little
wave is often lost in a larger. Clio saw
that something was going to happen, and
woman-likc. OWNED intuitively wins. it
was. But he had kept her wai,ip in sus.
pcnse and uncertainty so long that now ,
when it was about to come. she determn-
ed she would not help him in the least
AT length Jack began:
Clio. I'm having considerable bust
ness now"
Yes" said she, very demurely, with
a quiet little nod: then relapsed into 81.
lence without another word Jack idsct-
ed and thought. why don't she say some
thing and keep fellow on?'
I'm righ; glad &c hear t." said Clio.
Jack fcl, somehow she was sporting with
him, and flashed up.
You never heard that l didn't support
myself. did youT
II. no! But then"
"Bu. then? You know, Clio, that ever
since was fifteen"
Never mind" said Clio. "for it seems
as though | have heard story commen-
cling Ike that before, Jack"
With that Clio smiled. and Jacks mo-
mentary di>pleasure vanished; vet there
was left on lis mind the underlined i'm
preston that, after al. he hal been sold.
But the ice Of reserve was broken.
"To be plain, Clio camc down to tell
you that love You"
Here came long pause. Jack looked
at everything in the room except Clio
1t was getting exceedingly embarrassing
to Jack when there came quiet Well ?
from Clio.
"Anl TO say" went on Jack. as though
no interruption had occurred. "that am
in condition to get married.
That's very desirable situation for
any young man. | am sure" said Clo:
and then she laughed that same low. rip
pling laugh he loved so. Poor fellow
why couldn't he have interpreted the love
for him which rounded aud meliowcd that
laugh? But no. he grew desperate, and
with the thought that she was sporting
with him. just little angry.
Il 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
Il might have known you wouldn't have
married me"
But. Jack"-he turned-"you har-
en't asked me to-
Haven't asked you to - Jack caught
the look In her eyes. The next moment
she was in his arms, and her arms round
his neck, and-well. the fact is Jack new
or did ask the question.
After the frs, happy moments had pas
sed. aud the ecstacies of the acknowledged
mutual love had efFervesced-that word
seems to express the idea about as we'll as
any-Jack began:
Darling. have loved you ever since
the irst day in the grove. How long have
you cared for me T.
.'Since l saw YOU standing so lonely
and looking SO down-hear,ed under tha,
pine tree"
think after that reply Jack kissed her.
I know l should had been he.
The other day visited Jack aud his
wife. In the yard in front of their home
saw a small pine tree. which they tend
with tho greatest care. asked Jack
where he found it. 4 smile aud look
Of peculiar significance passed between
him and his wife as he answered In the
Sroye.'