Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1882-01-26

Miss Comfort Crabtree was right.
The fury Of late equinoctlal storm
was bending the tops Of the huge for
est-trees, lashing the tides ofthe river
into mass Of boiling foam, and hang
ing the iooee shutters against the side
of the old house, as il each one was q
miniature piece Of artillery.
Nov and then an angry sweep Of
rain dashing against the window panea
Ike a handful Of pebbles. and the
shrek Of the tempest sounded down
eTery chimney 10 the house in dir
ferank n0ss II Faiiine.
The Reverend Caleb Crabtree lived
all alone in this great barn Of q ruin
ed house, because his salary was low
and the rent was cheap.
There were but few neighbors, but
then the Reverend Caleb lived in his
books, and cared little for conversa-
ton raore modern than the "Divine
Dialogues" Of Plato. And as for Misu
Comfort, she was as serenely indiffer-
snt to society as her brother.
"And to think, said Miss Crabtree,
as she threw fresh log. fringed with
moss, and scented Of the backwoods,
upon the FIRE, that old Mrs. Denison
must take it into her head to die, Just
this night Of all others I do hope
Caleb won't take cold, and that he
won't forget to tie that gray worsted
comforter around his neck. But Caleb
is SO careless r.
So saying, Miss Crabtree opened
the oven-door. and gloomily surveyed
a plump chicken which was browning
in its cavernous recesses.
It'll be done in just half an hour, S
said Miss Comfort, with a glance at
the tall clock behind the door. "And
if Caleb ISM back by that time, il
will be too bad for the blessed man
hasn't had bite between his lips this
day, except cold sandwich and half
a red apple
Miss Comfort whisked out little
round table, covered it with home
spun cloth, and set it with her blue
edged plates, shining silver teapot,
a loaf of bread, and a little pat OF
sweet-scented butter. And then she
sat down to her knitting, before the
fire.
There it goes again" said Miss
Comfortable rain And the wind
enough to take the roof off the house
Eh?
And as She soliloquized to herself,
as persons who lead a solitary life
often do, one Of the boards to the car
petless floor, behind her, creaked, and
turning. with start, she found her
self in the presence of two men.
One was tall and stout, with no
particular nap to the hat he held
under his arm; a low forehead, from
which the hair was brushed up like
the bristles of a hearth broom: very
dirty linen, and a furtive expression
of countenance.
The other was short, smiling and
serene, and wore superfine broadcloth,
and pair of gold eyeglasses dang
ling across his breast.
Don't be alarmed, ma'amr' said
the short man, ingratiatingly.
Il ANTI" said Miss Comfort, with
o contemptuous sniff.
I'VE shan't hurt you" reassuringly
added the tall man.
81 rather reckon you won't?" said
Miss Crabtree. Did you want to zee
my brother p
"N-no," said the short man, rub
bling his plump white palms together
eve didn't. We wished to see you r
whats your business p briefly de.
manded Miss Comfort. wondering much
within herself.
You see, my dear Miss Barbara
Comfort Ctabtree is my name, il
you pleasel' interrupted the lady.
The two men exchanged chances
over her head.
Miss Comfort, then" the stout
man corrected himself, IF you prefer
that name"
81 ought to, remarked Miss Crab
tree, ''since it was given me by my
sponsor in baptism"
''Certainly-certainly. was only
going to remark, added the stout man
nervously twirling his watch-chain,
that We have come to take you for a
drive this evening"
81 don't think You have, ''said Miss
Comfort, her quick glance travelling
from one to the other.
"The carriage is at the door," said
the man, advancing with q concilia-
tory smile.
And there amt no use q foolin'
no longer T. added the tall stranger
impatiently.
"Better como with US quietly, like
a good soul. !" said the stout man. Law
ing his plump hand persuasively on
Miss Comforts arm.
But in the same instant, Miss Com
fort. who had watched him as cat
watches lnouse. had charged at him
with her ksaitting-nsedles, and backed
him into the china closet. whose doc,
stood ajar Just behind him, turning
the key upon him with the quicknesl
Of lightning.
And now for you r said Miss Com.
fort, seizing the boiling tea-kettle from
the hearth, and advancing in a mena-
cling manner upon the tail man, who
stood mOmentarily dismayed by this
prompt coup a etaf. eco into that eel.
lar, or Iii scald YOU to DEATH"
The man tried to demonstrate. bat
Miss Comfort stepped forward with 1
threatening flourish Of the tea-kettle
and he was compelled to obey; and !
second after Miss Comfort smiled grim,