Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-05-24

His stepping from the train at New.
ton was not premedi,sted. He was
bound for no place in particular, and
. when the brakeman shou4ad New
ton," he thought he would like to hear
the roar Of old ocean. As the salt sea
breeze came to bis face. he suddenly re-
membered that the Ogdens, old friends,
remote relatives. il he remembered
rightly, Of his family lived here. Should
he visit themi In ten years he had not
troubled a relative xiih his presence,
he was not going to do il now, and least
Of all these Puritanical Ogdens.
Nevertheless he went, and the prod
igal son Of old was not received with
more warmth and kindness than was he
by Silas Ogden, his wife and daughter,
his youngest born. Cecilia. the only
child at home. John and William were
away preaching to focks Of their own,
and Esther was away with her husband,
helping him to perform his duty in the
land Of heathens.
Three days passed and still Vance
Varian felt no inclination to leave, and
proceed on his way to no place in par
ticuiar. He sat watc hing Cecilia from
under his eyelids. What face she had.
Not handsome-not even pretty, if ev-
cry creature was measured by the AZ.
tistic rule Of beauty-but il was what
cannot always be said Of q pretty lace,
singulsrly attractive.
Her father, they said, was never
strict enough with her, but he did
wise thing when he selected a steady
going man like young Graham for her
husband.
"Will you come with us to church to-
morrow +! Mr.. Graham is TO preach in
.papa's place, and I know that his ser.
mon will please you" She did not
look mp at him, but kept On with her
sewing as she spoke.
Studying her face, he said: "How
do you know his sermon will please
me J"
- do not think you are SO very hard
TO please" she said, smiling. "and I
never knew anybody yet thai his ser
mon failed to please. There is a mag
netism in his voice and mannef. that
makes you take every word he utters
home to yourself. I feel so good when
MIR. Graham talks 10 me: my wicked
heart Is 'filled With so much awe and
reverence that i think I will never
de~sny wrong again, and don't until
the next time. II is so hard, you know.
for ones heart 10 be always filled with
awe, though il would be an easy matter
enough if MIR. Graham vas always near
me-now, you are laughing at me-"
Vance was laughing, but when he
said:
"Oh, no; I'm no, laughing at you,"
he spoke truthfully.
"And, he continued, carclessly, "Mr.
Graham may be all you describe h,m,
but his sermon will not please me, for
all that. ! was never pleased with a
sermon in my life. neither was ever
particularly displeased with one. You
see ] never 90 to church since I left
home, unless | happen 10 be caught in
some quiet out-ofthe-way place on a
Sunday where there is no other show
open. Out Of sheer desperation ! would
20 to church and listen, not to the ser
mon, but 10 the music: Have you
choir in your church 7"
"Yes." she answered, very quietly.
"Do you sing in iti"
She nodded her head.
Then ] shall 60 and listen to your
staging"
'And not to the sermon p
"Not to the sermon" and Vance
laughed again.
Vance varian sat IN the old gray
elaarch. He had madS up his mind not
10 listen 70 the sermon. but he was lis
tening ID spite. ,of himself Turn his
eyes which way be would he eneoun-
ter the kindling nagaetic gaxe Of the
preacher. The service vas over, and
at the church door he waited fof Cece-
iia.
"wili you take a walk on the cliffs
before you so home ;" he asked, when
she appeared.
YES" she answered. after somshss-
itation. =
He took her hand in his, AID she al
lowed him to lead her up the strssyiins
path. They aseeaded the cliff, neither
speaking word.
They reached the top, they stoad and
watched the bouadless ocean stretched
out before them. and listened to the
thad Of its mighty waves q they dashed
sgaiast the rocks belows = !, ssz
Ssddealy Cecelia turaed toward him.
end looking . IN his face, she said:
"fou did listen 20 the sermon! I
~as watching you all the time.'