Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-10-29

J
left alone. In that case doubt that
troubles you will be satisfied. You
can with all propriety call on her and
thank her"
But though he spoke in this way, !
knew he did not imagine it could be
so, That evening we smoked our
cigars in Col. LIS company and
my friend automatically introduced
the subject.
THAT beautiful house with the large
garden lie said "is quite feature
Of the place. Who owns it2"
"a lonely woman; widow of Mr..
" said the Colonel. "She was
belle in her girlhood. She might
still be one ifshe chose.
"Perhapswe saw her in the garden, :"
said my friend, beginning minute
description.
Exactly. 1t was no che else, said
the Colonel.
My friend paused moment and
then said:
"She reminded B-of some one
he met in Brazil. In fact he almost
believed her the same person"
mo, no, said the old Colonel, "Mrs.
Was never left Virginia. We
have known the family since she was
only two years old, 1t is only the
first day that I've spoke of that and
she lamented that she had not travel
ed more
| felt a pang Of disappointment but
found courage to say: II should great
ly like to be introduced to her"
The old Colonel instantly offered to
introduce me. "But remember, said
my friend, as we parted, never tall
her of your fancy. 1t would spoil
your chance with her, and I see it is
case of love at first sight"
He was right, and | was 'tSSly for
tunate-very happy. Iwon the beau
Ntihil woman's heart.
Her fortune / did not want, but it
was lar - | had sufficient means
and could not be suspected Of merce-
nary motives. We were married after
long and ardent wooing on my part.
She loved me, but second marriage
seemed wrong to her, and it was not
until she realized that she had ire.
trievably given me her heart that she
would give her hand.
Neither Of US had ever visited
Europe. We decided to cross the
ocean during our honeym DON. Before
we went she showed me her beautiful
home and all her possessions. Among
them was store Of old china.
Suddenly she turned to the shelves
OF her cabinet and took down china
bowl-transparent, covered with flow
ers and butterflies Of quaint, unconven-
tional form.
As she held it toward me, saw again
the long, low-hung white-washed
Brazilian room, the crowd Of men
playing cards at an improvised table
the figure Of the woman advanced to-
ward me. 1t was her attitude that
my wife had assumed. uttered a
cry.
"Are you thirsty" she asked.
cts true, thenl" / cried. "You
are the woman who saved my life when
I lay perishing Of fever in Brazil?"
She began to tremble. Setting the
bowl aside, she threw herself into my
arms.
Long ago." she panted--ten years
ago-I thought held that bowl in my
hand and asked you that. Itwas night.
I do not know whether | dreamt, or
whether / was mad. In the dead of
night I thought voice called to me I:
Save the man whom destiny has set
apart for your Then / arose and
asked: How
"There is ON our plantation spring,
the water Of which is magical in its
mower to cure fevers. / dreamt or
thought that some unseen thing led
me to the spring. carried this bowl
in my hand. Then stood in strange
room-lohg, low, white, and you-you
lay on a pallet hot with fever, and
I said: "Are you thirsty and gave
you to drink.
1.-THE next morning ! would have
thought it was all dream but that
the bowl, still wet, stood at my bedside.
Now | have told you this, do You think
me mad or superstitious 7 ] have
longed so often to tell you, but / dared
not. .
But also bad my tale to tcll--the
one / have told you.
We ask each other often: "What
was it? What did it mean? How
- I. 81 h. a,,,ta:nad9D RAJ 40 an.