Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-11-30
A WOMkN'S MLRCY.

A wonderously beautiful girl, with +:
sweet, statuesGu. face, that made one
think almost enviously of the lover he
in some blissful future times would have
the power to bring passion-li ,htS to the
>hadowy, thoughtful eyes-who should
by the virtue of the royal right of love
kiss those firm, exquisite lips, whose
vivid glow of scarlet was the only color
that relieved, or was needed to relieve
the ivory beauty of her face and the
magnificent dusk Of hair, brow and
eyes.
A queenly girl was this Irene Con.
way, at whose disposal already a halt:
score of mems hearts had been placed
all ahame with the ardor she inspired
and 80 uncon>ciously. A quiet, dainty
woman, who had walked unscatheo
through two gay seasons OF fashionable
seaside resorts through two fashionable
winter dissipations, through one
year Of travel on the Continent. where
the beautiful American" received suf!i
cIent adulation TO have turned any 9th.
er girls head.
And twenty-five found her as nine.
teen had left her. marvelously fair, be.
wltchingly attractive, and until the last
seven weeks as heart-baie as adamant
Until seven weeks ago->even shor,
weeks. And standing on the high bluff
by the seaside, the strong breeze frol.
| licking among some loose, Tossed tresses
OF her hair, Irene asked herself fit were
pos ible that SO short time could " work
such magic changes.
And by the wild pulSa,ions Of her
heart she knew her life was changed
from ccntre to circumference IN those
last glad weeks, counting from the day
hay, the hour. the minute-that had
brought her and Rex Egerton face to
face.
She remembered it so perfectly well
that windy, cool sunsettiug-when
he and Miss Pordenne had met Mr..
Egerton coming up from the depot,
vali,e in hand. She remembered his
splendid bow when Miss Pordenne had
presented >him, and she actually laughed d
10 herself now, as she recalled her men,
tai a>toni, hmcnt that such an elegant
looking gentleman should go atoot from
the depot to The hotel.
Since then, however, she had learned
the indepe: dence of the man who had
come 10 be the master of her DESTINY
learned not only that one qualification,
but his every other characteri>tic-hi,
lord!y supremacy over everything with
which he came IN contact-even her
self.
She admitted il 10 herself with little
shivers Of delight. Yes, he was her
lord and master, who controlled her ev-
cry thought, who held captive every
motion of her heart, that, sealed so long
only poured forth greater torrent of
adornIng love at the touch Of the mas
ter hand. She knew it, felt it in every
fibre oi her being, that >he loved him
and her heart sang glad jubilees; aud
with the next pulsa,ion. the peans
changei to strains as weird sad minor
keys, when IL came home to her, in all
ITS keen force. that Rex Egerton had
never spoke or looked any love for her.
She turned away from the sparkling,
joyous sea, with its h,te-sai!ed YES
sels, bearing many lover to his sweet
hearts arms, she thought, half envious-
ly, half bitterly, and walked slowly
along the bluff, her glorious head
dropped, her tender eyes bent to The
damp sands below, where a few chill
dren, bare!ooted, chubby -ankied, dis
regardiul that il was time TO re-don
dinner attire, which arduous task was
already occupying nine-tenths OF the
hotel boartlers, thus leaving the blutf,
the sands, the sea, the summer-houses,
and all the perfection of that August
day, for Irene Conway and Rex Eyer
ton.
She saw him coming, and her heart
sprang to her white, round throat
She saw him coming, not lei>urely. ..
she was going toward him. but walking
at a pace that betokened earnestness,
even urgency.
She glanced up, preparing to bow.
but was petrifed into forgetfulness at
the sight of his deathly pale face and
intensely bright eyes.
"Mr. Eserton, you almost terrify me.
Is anything the matter
He laughed, and then wheeled beside
her.
Nothing is the matter that should
terriiy you-you Of all women, since
was on my way TO meet YOU"
ITO meet me 20
She gave him sudden questioning
lcok.
To meet vcu. Why not. when l