Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-07-29

And you ara sorry?' he asked sud.
denly, taken both her hands in his.
Yes, am. she murmured. why
not confess? I? The marder is out now,
with a little attempt at laughter that
was a complete failure.
She did not withdraw her hands,
and he still held them. bat he looked
down upon her with a not altogether
lover-like expression.
Poor Toni he said. after a pause,
and dropped her hands abruptly.
They walked on for a few steps in
silence. Isabel far too much astcnished
|I~&sssslkseslaes tc~reak. Rinaaly he
stopped, took her hands once more
between his own, and said:
j, i had no right 10 question you be.
fore-before this, but your very con-
fession has given me that right. Why,
are You sorry Tom is coming SO soon
lfyou care for the man you have
promised to marry, why are you
sorry? Tell me-
'Because-becaase- she faltered.
Because you do not love him.
She gave one glance at the earnest
face leaning above her. She fancied
she read hope that the answer
might be yes, in those eager. implor-
ing eyes, and instantly all thought OF
honor He'd from her mind, as she i'm.
agined it had fed from his. She
threw herself upon his breast and said
with a little sob: Yes; | do not love
him-l do not care to have him come.
And how long has this been so -
he asked calmly, though his heart
beat trumultuously.
Her head was resting on his breast
she felt its quickened action and
smiled little smile Of triumph. He
will surrender yet, she murmured to
herself.
But Belton was very far from doing
that. The alluring notes Of the siren
were in his ear, but the voice of friend.
ship spoke too strongly in his heart
for him to yield. He could not wreck
Toms life. But strive as he would he
could not leave her without a word
My darling he whispered softly
Il would have spared you-spared us
both. You knew l loved you even be-
fore was aware of it myself, so why
should | not say so since it is the only
consolation left me? For-for any
thing else is impossible-I could not
play an old friend false. l shall 60
away-you will easily forget such
folly, and all will be WELL
Leaning down he kissed her, then
turned and went away so quickly that
his tall figure was almost instantly
lost to sight on the hilly road beyond
the lane.
Isabel stood silent for a few mo.
ments. She was very angry for
awhile; her color came and went rap
idly, and her eyes flashed.
4 should have dropped Tom first,
| suppose, before I led him to such a
length, she said, as she wandered
back to the house. Perhaps l did
not do right, but I'm not sentimental,
as some are, and l don't believe in
marrying the man you're engaged to
when you've happened to fall in love
with another And SO she went back
determined not to marry Tom.
But her resolution speedily changed
when she reflected that Bolton had
refused the gift she had absolutely
laid at his feet. Her own pride came
to aid Tom when he begged that their
wedding day might not be lar distant.
One month from the date of that
memorable meeting in the lane Isabel
become Toms wife, and Belton, read.
ing a description of the gorgeous we'd
ding in the leading society journal,
prayed earnestly for the cripple's hap
piness. Life would henceforth be a
blank to him, he thought, but be
blessed the courage that had kept him
from running that of his friend.
Two years later he read another
notice in the same jourual-the death
of Tom.
Three years from certain summer
bridal Belton with his fishing pole
upon his shoulder loiteled aimlessly
beside well known-river, and at sun
set went forth once more upon the
old, familiar path. Isabel and her
mother were occupying their former
quarters at Mrs. Walters he was
visiting friend.
She does not know I am here, he
said, i wonder If she ever comes
through the lane at this hour for
memory's sake, or-or has she wholly
forgotten?'
As ii in answer TO this inquiry a
tall. 1.-the figure came down the path
before him. He recognized it, and
his heart almost ceased to beat. II
seemed as if his feet refused to carry
him further, for he stood silent. as-