Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-12-15
DgH0RNT0N'S WIFE.

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|EslsIl Ea&ope only two days when
bis widowed mother followed him
into the gaitlen, whittier he had
sauntered II enjoy his after break
fast cigar, aud coming up with him
laid her hand Emily on his arm.
my son, she said in her stern.
naughty wy, II regret to be
Obliged to introdlice unpleasant
truths SO soon after your return
but ii would be folly for me not 90
let you know that your fathers
creditors threaten to foreclose the
mortgage upon this place at nc
distant day" rs.
A look of annoyance swept over
the young mans face, but he as,
sumed an Indifference whether he
felt it not. :.
1.-The same old story" he replied;
sit is very awkward, of course, but
| suppose they will have to fore
close if they want to; We can't help
o Irselves "
"We must help ourselvesm was
his mothers swift, almost fierce
rejoinder.
Noel removed his cigar from his
bearded lips, and stared at the
speaker. st s
pray, how are We going to eff
feet this impossible thing ~ he
asked.
'sYou must marry !"
The nonchalant air vanished like
lightning, and in its place a bag
gard. anxious look came over the
handsome face.
Il have no desire to marry" he
murmured.
Yourmafriage is the only means
of escape from our present difficult
ties-from ruin"
at is all very well to talk of my
marrying money!" Noel said; shut
where am to find the woman with
money who will" y
"Who viii marry You p inter
rupted Mrs. Thornton. 81 will un-
dertake to supply the want. Cice-
~ Howard, the heiress, is coming
to make visit this week with her
cousin, Vivian Grey. Cicely has
loved you from childhood up; her
income is said to be thirty thou
sand dollars at least. Marrs. her,
and save us from disgrace and pow
erty.n
The proud lady waited for no
response, but swept away down
the prim box-fringed path, and
was soon lost to sight beneath the
luxuriance of the overhanging TO
liage.
Like one i'm a trance, Noel Thorn
ton sat there in the shadowy arbor,
a prey to the bitterest reflections;
il was to escape. this very Cicely
Howard that he had gone to Eu-
rope more than a year previously.
and in returning he had devoutly
hoped that the girl might have
been married out of his way.
But Fate had not thus decreed,
aud the old dread and anxiety set
tied Upon him with redoubled
force.
Thus he sat there, lost to his sur
roundings, until his Tererie was sud
denly disturbed BY a light step be-
meath the vines and the rustic of a
muslin robe.
CHANGING up to learn who the
intruder might be, he started vio-
lently as his eyes rested upon the
trim figure of pretty little Rhoda
Leonard, the gardeners daughter.
In an instant he was upon his
feet and had clasped the girls cold
white hands in his.
s'Rhoda - he exclaimed in an
awkward way; II was coming to
see you this very morning.
II would rather You would not
come to the cottage she said in q
tremulous, restrained voice; II am
here to ask you 20 meet me at the
= = well this evening, for-for, oh.
Il have something to say to
You will not refuse me r
raised her blue eyes then in
y appeal, and for the first
} Noel Thornton saw how pale
. :. wan, how like faded lily she
" IS.
ssRhoda, = he cried, really moved
by these silent proofs Of suffering,
ssdear child, how iii you look r.
II have been very. very sick =
she answered TREMENDOUSLY; Il have
passed through the valley Of the
hadow ofdeafh. but oh, how thank
MI j am that l have lived -