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

waited for me as I for her. the one,
only one in the world for me-
The voyage, which I would have
prolonged indefinitely, drew to .
close; ii had been unusually speedy
and prosperous. and there W as little
eivilly.exprsssed regret among the
passengers on hearing at table that We
should land within twenty. -four hours.
The general feeling. however. was one
of satisfaction and relief. AS I looked
round upon the pleased excited faces
turned to Captain Hall, my eyes net
Mrs. Somers'. Nsithsr could ignore
what each read "a the others glance.
and, within FIVE minutes Of the ladies
rising, I followed her on deck. She
was walking away from the corner
generally left us by common consent,
intending. I found. to take shelter under
the wing of the veriest old gossip on
board. She let me join her, and in
return waited till we were within q
few feet of her goal before said sud-
denly
Mrs. Somers, You have never asked
me why took this ship; You are, /
know, the least curious of women
Not So she replied; but my own
affairs have occupied me to the exclu-
sion of other peoples
Well, ! must ask yon 10 .listen TO
mine for FIVE minutes / said.
We turned back to our corner, and
| fingered over the little precautions
for her comfort which had become my
privilege. The warmer color on cheeks
and brow as she thanked me was rather
a reflection Of the passion in my eyes
than any feeling Of her own. If l
could not fatter myself that she loved
me, at least recognized a novice in
the art. Startling myself more than
her, the pent up thought of weeks
burst from my lips.
Did you love him.
If / did not, what must YOU think
Of me-? she murmured.
Think have thought till | can
think no more | responded. 4, who
for years have said | could come second
in no womans heart, ask you, May
Somers, for the lowest place in yours.
Her hands rested lightly on the arm
Of the rocking-chair. | had almost
taken them in mine, when she said
softly;
Are you indeed asking Inc for the
fragments that remain
4 am asking for no fragments; l
am asking to teach you what love is,
for, widow as you are, wife as you have
been, you do not know. l would teach
you by the service Of my whole heart
and life.'
/ waited for what seemed the long
est five minutes of my life before she
said
i cannot answer you now. 1t is as
you said-I do not know; and per-
haps I may never learn the lesson you
speak Of
Then I rejoined, for the gift of
yourself l am willing to wait. That
is not what am asking for now and
in few words told her of the ca
lamity that had befallen our house
and of the extreme improbability Of
her taking up the position she had
come to fill. As she listened her face
grew pale and alarmed.
I cannot offer you a very prosper.
Gus life,' I said, in conclusion, but
can promise that from the moment you
take my name nothing shall worry OF
annoy you. not even myself
| I pleaded hard with her; but fol
the life of me ! could not wish tina!
abe should take me only as an escape
from the difficulties of her position.
You knew this all the time, shs
said at last; she had recovered bel
color, and her tone was full Of cold
displsasurs.
Why disturb you about . thing W,
could not alter or
I hate to be treated like an lido
OF q childr she interrupted. On I
matter Of such infinite importance t.
me you were bound to speak at once
As it is. you have left me less thar
twenty four hours to make q plar
that might have had . months con
sideration.'
Mrs. Somsrs,' pleaded. You d
not hate mel I ask you now simpl.
to take my name, to take my mos
faithful service. and to take my Low
when you will-whsn you can Civ
me yours.'
Again q faint aush covered he
cheeks.
What you ask 10 absurd. impossible