Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-11-19

The next morning sav III =
Dorcas once more on their =
when the sun. set they watchod -
the deck of q Havre steamer - =
New York. - d 8
1t was late in November u -
sailed; but the voyage was pls pr
vithstanding the season Lyd l
ever, that she could have, bett S
storm and tempeet than thoSf ~
Of those da1a rhiek M -
] sss q - ~ sSs go
word, only shown her husband a~shad-
ow of the horrible insanity in her mind,
everything would have been set straight,
and she would have been happy in his
pardon. But now ave years gone for
ever, and perhaps worse; perhaps (for
he thought her dead) another wife =
who could tell what punishment might
be in store for her? Perhaps she
would reach only to find HIM dead
which would be worse than all-dead,
and too late even to hear one last word
of forgiveness
! They were in sight of land at last,
had left the vessel, were driving away
through the busy streets of the great
city of the New World. Lydia would
not hear of resting or waiting, and old
Dorcas knew it would only be cruel to
urge her.
1t had been showing when they land
cd in New York, and by the time they
had left the railway train which they
had taken, it had settled into a heavy
storm. Lydia wanted to walk; so Dor
cas- wrapped waterproof cloak about
her, drew the hood over her head, and
did the best to shelter her.
Ask how We go!' was all her mis-
tress said. BE quick-I want to start;
but must walk-I should go mad
Dorcas stepped into hotel near the
station, and made her inquiries. The
road was straight enough. Mr. Leonard
Drake, she WIS told, lived out beyond
the town a little-she would know the
place by such and such directions.
They were less than half an hour on
the way. They reached the mansion,
hant.some dwelling, half town-house,
half villa, with long garden attached.
They mounted the steps, and Dorcas
rang the bell.
You ask she heard her mistress
whisper. She caught sight Of her face.
1t was lined and scanned with pain; the
dark dark s eyes faisly- strained and aila.ed
The door opened. A man servant
appeared.
is Dir. Leonard Drake inY' Dorcas
asked.
No, he is in New York. Mrs. Drake
is at home, answered the man.
Instinctively Dorcas reached out her
arm to support Lydia, as she asked,
who is tha.-his mother?'
NO, his wife. Do you want to see
her 2 asked the man rather curtly, be-
ginning to think them people in search
of charity, and not liking to encounter
the cold air.
No. Dorcas said. How long has
he been married.
About six months
A low choked whisper from her mis-
tress reached Dorcas. 1t said, Come
away Quick Come
Dorcas turned, without a word, and
supported her mistress down the steps.
Lydia did not speak. Dorcas could
not. She put her arm about her mis-
tress, and drew her on as fast as she
could, hoping to find carriage near
The house stood in plot of ground BY
itself. They turned the corner, where
the garden led down side street.
Wait said Lydia, suddenly. Tcan't
go any farther. let ME rest q little
Only don't speak to NEEDN'T say a
word
They sat on the jutting line stone
that supported the iron fence, Dorcas
half sustaining her mistress, who crouch
ed forward, hiding her face with one
hand. Dorcas bent over to see the face
it was distorted by an anguish.
Mistress dear ! she sobbed, only
speak-only-'
Hush = muttered LYDIA. Come away;
can walk now. Let me alone; don't
talk yet. Help me up; can walk
Dorcas was assisting her to rise,
when a gentleman turned into the
street, little down, and walked rapid
ly toward them.
Mufi,ed though he was in his great
coat, Dorcas knew him, and uttered a
cry cf terror.
It's his STEP whispered Lydia. Sit
down-he'n not know US! promised
never to trouble him! / must keep INV
word. Don't look up, Dorcas. Sit
down. l say!
The very act attracted the attention
of the gentleman. He halted in front
of them saving, Why do you sit here in
this Storm
Neither answered. Dorcas felt Lv-
dia's hand press her arm like hand of
I stone.
/ Can't either of you speak 2 he con-
tinued rather irnpatieutly. This is no.
weather for two women TO be sitting out
/ OF doors
! Still no answer Some mad idea
that she could pull Dorcas away, and
run from him. seized LYDIA. She at
tempted it. The hood fell from her
face. He knew her and cried, LYDIA,
Lydnr
| She felt that she was fainting-that
he had caught her in his arms then an
awful bhckness closed over her
When consciousness came hack. she
thought at first that she must be dead
Then she knew she was ina bright warn,
room. She saw DOrcas. Young pretty