Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-02-08

til &nce ron came from Glenclifks.
The littls lmay sid thisons Hnopns
ing few days before the dinner par
" 1t Belmont Manor. al
First finger Of the left land looks
rather suspicious. little Oracle. but I
don't care 50 long as yon keep your
thoughts froa that young Relmont.
Ire judges son. Whnk's hn name 7
/ hope il Is not cominoh name. but
something novel. Did you ever hear
Il, Grace p 81 nr 49,
AYes; it is Lester"
"0hl how aleeant. Lester and
Carmal Wont ex aound elegant Co
gether9 p and the willful girl clapped
her fair dimpled hands child fashion.
What shaIl yoa wear 10 the ball.
CarmaY / said. s.
Il hare not decided vet, bat I. think
lemon silk and Honit0n Iace-n0 How
ers-only diamonds. What shall you
wear p
"Oh as for my toilet, it viii Be
but a simple affair at best. You know
/ have nota very elaborate wardrobe. :
Yes. poor child, she answered.
"I would not be compelled to econo-
nnize in dress IS you do for anything.
Id 90 in q convent or turn Sister Of
Charity, or do something / don't know
what."
/ laughed at the flippant style she
talked on in, but was really busy con-
juring my brain to fit up a suitable dress
for the occasion. I knew should meet
a great many distinguished guests at
the old Belmont Manor and I also
knew there would be some to criticise
even me. / usually did not possess
much vanity. but somehow / must
confess for this once was especially
anxious. had but one black silk,
which had been given me by Uncle
Horace billiard when presented him
a case of wax Japonicas ! made for
his sixtieth birthday. / concluded to
wear the black silk. ] told Carma
this, and she said the Judges son
would take me for her mother. She
meant 10 call me mama at dinner and
i ought by all means to wear a cap to
add to my matronly appearances.
The auspicious day arrived; the
sunshine lay scattered over the fields
and along the garden path and crept
up and nestled in the hearts Of the
roses as they opened their pink boz
SONS on that fair September morning.
] was thinking of Lester and wonder
ing what Carma would say when she
became aware of our acquaintance and
engagement. / sat twisting my sap
phire around my finger when the bell
rang and a servant entered, bearing
ON asilver saliva abouquet Of richest
flowers, accompanied by a note from
Lester. II can only by the greatest
effort force myself to remain at home"
he wrote me. ''and forego seeing your
dear face till evening. Wear these
flowers at your throat and in your
hair, darling, if you still love Lester"
laid the delicate note down and
took up the exquisite flowers. l had
not noticed Carma's entrance. She
took up the missive before could
speak and had read it at a glance.
She looked first at the flowers, then
the note, and sent such depth of
scorn and hatred at me | quailed be-
meath her gaze.
$50 this is the signet ring on your
hand p she said.
YES" I answered. Lester Bel
mont and are engaged, and we love
each other dearly , 50
She looked at me and said "You
shall never marry him. You, poor
and plain as a brown wren. marrying
the aristocratic Judge BeImont's son
and heir and queening it over that ell
egant mansionl No, you never shall.
l swear to this. You may look as
Mortified at such language as you
please, but I'll keep this vow. In
less than one month I'll bring Lester
Belmont to my feet and make him ac-
knowledge his folly and laugh at his
idiocy for ever suPposing he cared for
you"
"You have never met him, Carma.
You don't know that you could love
him.
What do care for love ! Give me
money, position. / care for no more"
Poor Carmai said this with my
heart, not with my lips. With all
your splendor you are sadly poor.
The glitter and glimmer Of gold will
never heal the heart wounds or draw
the thorns that press to thevery nerves
of the soul of the woman who narries
for money when she wakes up in
after years To find that she has made
a fatal mistake, but methinks a heart
less vulnerable than Carma Willard's
alone can suffer from such an error.
Radiant indeed looked Carma VIII
lard when she stepped in her fathers
handsome carriage and leaned back
on the magnificent cushions, in her
cream colored dress, with its sweeping
train, over which lay the fieecy folds
of rare old lace. heirlooms for centu-
ries perhaps The round arms
flashed in Diamonds, and the purple
black hair. wound up and bound by q
corohet. was studded with diamonds.
Papa. I've q notion to order Mark
to drive off and leave Grace / heard
her say to Uncle Horace when he
handed her to the carriage.
NO. daughter. don't
Il am coming" I said, and walked
down the yard to be seated BY my
cousin. Very plain was my toilet be-
SIDE the elegance Of Carma's. NV
black silk. with some old Spanish lace
at throat and wrist, and Lester fiow-
ers caucht mn ON nv hosara hr