Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-09-28

sacks-or hall hundred other neces-
saries which Lefty could think of.
Yes" sais] she, ''PIl do il. Nv
preserves will soon be finished. Law
the bundle on the table, please. So the
new family have arrived in the Hall at
last ~
Mrs. Ellison nodded assent. She had
lived hoasekeeper with the Hadfelds,
OF Hadfied Hall, for twenty years, and
was sorry enough when the old place
went into other hands. But sit.sstion
was a situation, so she had stayed an.
yes" said she, "Mr. and Mrs.
Howard Lindsley."
Lefty gave such start that the pre-
serve kettle had nearly tipped over into
the fire.
"Lindsley;" cried she, with a lit
tie hysterical laugh. "What funny
namer
Handsome, stylish people, with
more money, TO all appearances than
they know what to do with" went on
Mrs. Ellison. Tjust wish you could
see her dresses and jewels! Stephanie,
the French maid, showed me when she
was unpacking EN-, and it's as good as
play 7"
Lefty said nothing, but stirred busily
away at the preserves, while the old
house-keeper maundered on about the
wealth and grandeur of the new pos
SCISSORS of Hadfeld Hall . And all of
this might have been hers!
when shall / send for the laces 2"
Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she
rose TO depart.
"Fll take them home myself, about
dusk, said Lefty, inwardly resolving
to get herself a glimpse into this para
disc which had so nearly been her own.
And so at twilight with the daintily
ironed and futed laces in her basket,
she walked up to Hadfield Hall.
How stately it looked with its broad
colionnaded facade, all glittering with
lights; its grand conservatory at the
back, where palm leaves and banners
brushed the glass top, and the terraced
grounds! Oh if she had only said
Eyes" TO Howard Lindsey, just eleven
years ago:
Within everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets, like banks OF moss
covered the tioor-marble statues stood
in velvet lined inches, lights glowed
softly, aud tables loaded with ornaments
stood around.
"Hush!' said Lefty, as Mrs. Eli
son, with some pride, pointed out the
various beauties of the place. "What
is that noise like woman crying: In
the next room, think"
Mrs. Ellison's face clouded over.
ats Mrs. Lindsey, poor DEAR" said
she. 'The masters brute. He has
been drinking too much-Mademoiselle
Stephanic says he always drinks too
much-and he struck her!. Struck her
and called her a whimpering fool before
all OF Us servants. never saw a man
strike a woman before, and declare it
made me sick all over. But Stephanie
says it's common thing enough. Oh.
my dear. she's wretched in spite of
her money"
HAS she no children = Lefty softly
asked.
"She had two, but she loss 'em both.
Mademoiselle Stephanie saws she Of
ten cries and wishes she was dead, too.
And ] don't wonder much, with such a
husband as she's got. Hush there he
comes now
And shrinking behind carved group
of Italian marble statuary the two wo-
men watched Howard Lindsey stalk
gloomily by, with red, inilamed eyes,
sullen, down-looking face, and shutting,
unsteady foot>tep.
Silently Lefty Wyngard went home,
thanking God in her heart that she was
poor mans wife.
Have Won heard Of the accident -
asked old Peter STYLES who was stand
ing out at the gate, as she hurried by in
the deepening dusk.
"No. what accident: What has hap
pened :"
That there house that your husband
was working in has tumbled in All a
heap OF ruins. Something wrong about
the foundation, they say, and"
"Oh, my God"' wildly interrupted
Lefty, clasping her hands. WAS he
hurt; My husband =
"Wcll," hesitated old Styles, 'there
were two men killed, and one had his
arm broke. But"
Lefty waited to hear no more
Swift as an arrow out Of bow she sped
homeward, horrible dread wringing
her steps with almost incredible speed.
Oh il John should be killed-John, her
faithful, loyal husband, whom she had
thought 50 lightly of-whom that very
day she had allowed to leave her with
out the goodbye kiss. If her children
should be fatheriess-if-
John John - size walled. as she
pushed open the door and went breath
less into the kitchen.
well, little woman, what is il 90
And-oh thanks 10 an all Merciful
Heaven-John Wyngard himself turned
his brigh; loving face towards her from
the hearth side, where he was sitting,
with child on either knee
Il know what is IN your dumb, ques-
tioning eyes, Lefty. am not hurt,
thank God. Ihad jus, gone to the hard
ware store for another barrel of nails,
when the building tell. No, no, Lefty.
you'll not get nd Of me quite so easy
Lefty threw herself sobbing into his
arms.
"Ah, John, John, love me, hold me
close to your heart, John. Ihave been
repining and selfish. I've never been
half good enough to you; but please
God, III be better woman and more
faithful wife from this night henceior.
ward.