Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-03-18


| could not bat admire the GOODNESS.
the absolute Justice Of her remarks.
Again my eyes met hers. trying 10
read there either weakness or. relsnt-
ing. OF personal feeling for myself
there was none. aud il, as T more than
suspected, che dreaded to fad herself
in strange land. no such fear was
revealed. One thing I demanded
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to establish
her in the hotel always used by our
family or to see her on board the
honeward-bound steamer.
The n9xt day ws-lsDded; ana. aser
seeing Mrs. Somers comfortably in.
stalled, | left her and went to our
former office. 1t was closed and
covered with bills. From there
went to the bank, to our lawyers, to
hear everywhere the same story
that absolute ruin had befallen u.
Poor Emily and the children were
living on the proceeds of her ward.
robe and jewelry. She had taken
refuge with an old tenant some fifty
miles away from the town.
This information gained, | paused
to consider. The furniture of nv
bachelor chambers, with a picture or
two, would fetch between three anil
four hundred pounds, a sum sufficient
to deiray the expenses Of Mrs. Somers'
return to England and to keep me
in some sort OF fashion till found
employment. next called upon an
old friend Of my fathers. After
generating me from all share in the
imprudent speculations that hal
wrecked us, he inquired my plans.
Even blameless as you are said
he, you will be more comfortable ont
Of the city till this affair has blown
over. | want an agent for some land
I've just bought you would oblige me
and think do wisely for yourself in
accepting the post
The occupation suited me, and
accepted his offer gratefully. asking
only for a weeks delay before enter
ing on my duties. This being granted.
/ returned to Mrs. Somers' hotel; aud,
after waiting some minutes. this note
was brought me by a waiter, who
volunteered the information that the
lady had been gone almost an hour.
Dear Mr.. Stretton-This hotel is
comfortable but expensive; so / shall
have left it before you call. Do not
disturb yourself about me; must have
work somewhere, and am as likely
to find work to my mind here as in
England, whittier | shall return only
as last resource. The one thing |
cannot face with equanimity is an
unnecessary obligation. To avoid
therefore a contest in which You
might very probably win. write
instead of saying my thanks for the
numberless kindnesses / have receiv-
ed at your hands. Hoping we shall
meet again some day, I am very
sincerely yours.
MAY SoMERs.'
spent that week in vain search
for Mrs. Somers, and then went west
ward. l cannot say that was anxi-
Gus about her; but without her life
was tasteless-for me there was
neither past not future, everything
was merged in the six weeks had
spent at her side.
Ny work left me little time for
meditation; at rare intervals my SOL
itude was broken by visit to or from
my sister, when we talked Of little
but the prospects Of her children.
On one of these occasions she told me.
with tears in her eyes. that she was
going to marry again. She murmsr-
ed something about Providence and
duty 10 her children forbiddins her
to hesitate.
You've no objection, Mark
'Noae. ! replied. but that you
make such an exceedingly pretty
widow
Oh exclaimed Emily warmly. !
couldn't wear the drsss more than .
few months longer /. 10 better A.
it is.
And, on hearing the name of my
future brother in. law, agreed with
her. Once more Emily would have
money and care and the luxury Der
soul loved.
For the children's sake there wiz
be no unnecessary delay. I suppose.
Mark. it's of no use searching fer your
lost governessS
No / answered shortly; by this
time she has doubtless followed your
excellent example
Mark, Why are you 50 bittsr5 Why
shouldn't . woman marry twieei
You're GO romantic as Q schoolgirl
the love you dream Of. where heart