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

tence upon her wisdom and virtue.
There was. after all, something of the
face | had imagined under the craze
veil. She had hazel eyes and ripping
hair to match. II the complexion
lacked color, that was atoned for by
lips Of the purest carmine. The ex-
preston of the face left nothing TO be
desired-at least in my eyes it was
calm and clever, but with no want Of
animation.
4 We seated ourselves in the corner
indicated by Mrs. Hall, and Mrs.
Sansrs drew OF her kaittine. anuoc-
49, aaxd she va ssresy Win.
ont. A wedding ring of unusual
thickness was the only ornament about
her, and on this my eyes were fixed
till she became aware of nv gaze
then the hazel eyes challenged mine
in not altogether friendly fashion.
You altered your plans suddenly,
she remarked.
Very, l responded shortly, for l
had no mind to acquaint her with the
cause Of my sudden return; and,
strange to say, only saw the matter
as it might affect Mrs. Somers. If
things were as / feared, Emily could
no more afford governess at hun
dred and fifty pounds than she could
keep up her present establishment in
other respects.
Mr.: Stretton, you are repenting
your selection. she said lightly.
Far from it, l assured her, adding,
But, frankly, you are a good deal
younger than l supposed
She smiled again, an amused, rather
ironical smile.
Your requirements in that respect
as in others, were negative-I was moi
to be over thirty and indeed / am
not over thirty. Did your sister un.
derstand how little exacting you would
be when she intrnsted you with such
a mission?
This time her smile was exasperat,
ing.
However much my experience
amuses you, ma'am, | must ask leave
| to think that have fulfilled my mis-.
sion with the best
4 will try to shake even your faith
in your own penetration she inter.
rupted quite seriously.
| She rose as Mrs. Hall and gentle.
man came up to beg for some music
| did not follow them, but stayed on
deck to smoke, and think Of my new
acquaintance.
What would Emily say to me?
had been but few hours on board
and could already vouch for the truth
Of the Captains statement; the havoc
Mrs. Somers was making was patent
even to me. We had our full com.
plement Of passengers, but very few
ladies, and these were neither pretty
nor amusing. Mrs. Somers had it all
her own way; and her way seemed
to be to ignore good deal of the at
tention lavished on her. She was
gentle and dignifed, but kept as close
to the Captains wife as girl in hel
first season. Ne she honored with &
shy confidence Of which / was very
proud. When I found how little sh.
knew OF the life to which she wa!
going, thought her faith in her owl
penetration at least equalled mine
As the days wore on, I wondered NOR,
and more what manner Of maj
was he, who. winning such q wo
man for Q wife. had left 20 heart
whole widow. I had got into thu
habit OF spending the greater part o
the day at her side, for she was OIL
intelligent talker, too speculative t
be pedantic. and sympathetic listen
er; for such q woman one could hav
! q true passion or q true friendship.
already enjoyed the one and ignores
the proximity Of the other, for N.
prejudice against widows remained il
full force, aud was even strengthens
by a conversation ! overheard between
} the Captain wife and Mrs. Somers.
, At Alden we parted with Mrs. Hal
and her charges; and henceforth m.
days were spent at Mrs. Somers' side
J AS the sculptor finds his ideal pris
oned in the marble, so ] do not kuov
to this day whether May Somers di'
create or satisfy my ideal. She wa
a woman whose eyes spoke as freel.
8 a. her tongue; they warmed to be
: subject, never to me; nor could fai
: ter myself that my cominss and 60
ings had ever once changed the cream
! like tint Of her face. Alas for me.
had studied this woman
: The face Of her, the eyes Ct hsr, the chi,