Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-01-11

him How could be true TO nv sis
ter and not do bitter wrong TO him:
put on my hat and shawl and we
went out. The cool September winds
were already whirling about the early
falling leaves, and the trees were put
ting on crimson and gold foliage. To
my surprise AIr. Somerson did not turn
into the shady lane that leads to all the
pleasant walks hereabouts, but crossed
the road, and after short walk opened
his own garden gate. He had not yet
gone to live in his new home, but had
heard that every detail was ccsaplete.
want you to see my house." he
said, as he led me up the broad steps,
and tell me If your taste can suggest
any further improvements"
Mildred taste, he mesns, Thought,
only he did not like to ask her directly.
He led me from room to room, throug IN
the great lofty drawing-rooms, the IL
brary, cosy slttng-rooms, dining-room.
pointing out where my taste or sugges-
ton had been followed in furnishing or
decoration.
One full suite of rooms, finished in
hluc satin and cool, gray reps, he opened
for my inspection, saying:
1" Do You think this fills Mildred's
idea -
. Perfectly" | answered.
Her pure blonde beauty will shine
here" he answered, if can win the
dearest wish of nv heart"
! could not answer. | had known
that it was coming, coming soon, and
yet my tongue seemed to cling to the
roof of my mouth, and my eyes were
suddenly dim and useless. Very gem
tly Mr.. Somerson led me down stairs
to the conservatory, where a tiny foun-
tain tinkled in a marble basin and rare
flowers made the air heavy with fra
grance.
. Do You like my home :" Mr.. Som
erson asked.
g II is perfect" | forced mvsclfto saw
VII! YOU come then and share il
with me - he asked. taking nv hands.
knew he would AK ne. Mildred :
sister would be his sister too. must
refuse. though, and yet it seems 80 I'M
gracious.
"Mlildrcd!' said. and then choked,
and could not finish my speech.
''Of course Mildred will be welcome
here he said "havc YOU not seen
her rooms. When Won tell me YOU love
me, when YOU say you will be my wife,
preside over my home. will invite
Mildred to come too. But | am wait
inc 70 hear il YOU can love me. know
! am old enough to be your father, that
| am grave, silent man. but little
fitted I" win the pure young heart
coxet. But | love YOU and | have
dared to think | had won place in
YOU esteem, If not in your love.
In my e>teen, had battlcd it down.
| had never dared whisper the truth
TO my own heart but knew long. long
ago, that | loved him. How could |
dream it was my ugly face. not Mil
dreds bright young beauty. that drew
HIM 10 our cottage: II was hard TO
realize the truth even vet, though the
sweet. wooing words came so tensi-rlv
to my cars. dared look up at last, to
meet the pleading gaze of the deep
brown eyes and then my long-suardcd
secret must have been BETRAYED in nv
face. for was folded in close en-
brace, and heard, God bless YOU, nv
own. nv darlingl'
SO we came back again in the glow
OF the autumn sunset talking of our tu-
ture-his and nine. ! forgot Mildred,
till saw hef standing at the gate Of our
little garden.
Is il the daze Of nv own happiness.
| wonder, or is Mldred's face lighted
as | have never seen it since our father
died: Ever thoughtful, Herbert my Her
bert said:
You VIII want to be alone with vour
sister. | WI" come this evening to see
YOU AGAIN
Then, howinc to Mildred. he left me.
| went in At the gate my sister held
open with a new pain. Would she
srlevc over my happiness aS The death
blow 10 her own hope of ease and
wealth: Would she resent my offer OF
home as an insult
She put her arm around nv waist
and led me 10 the little parlor Then
she made me sit upon the sofa, and
knelt 50 that her face was very near
mine, 10 whisper:
Rodney has come home ~
The very joyou>ne>s of her tone told
me the rest. even before she spoke
again. kissed her a. our mother
might have done, too glad, too grateful
TO speak.
He has written again and again"
Mildred said: but his mother held the
letters back. She did not want 4 sew
ing girl for her sons wife -
But she is dead We saw her death
in the papers" said.
And Rodney came home because OF
her death. All h> letters were in her
desk. and a soon a he could. he went
IL Aunt Janet for news OF me. She
sent him here and met him on his way
from the boat. He loves me, Oh. tell
me You are glad. for my heart seems TO
DC breaking with happiness
said al she wished. and when We
had talked little longer, | told her nv
news. She burst into ringing, merry
laughter.
you dear old goose" >he said. land
You loved hlm all the time wondered
why YOU defended him so savaselv
when ! would call him old or stupid, )"
''He is neither" lcricd.
'Ot course not. Onlv," and the
rosy bushes came TO the fair round
cheek, he is no, Rodney"
Aunt Jane; wrote TO us the mex.