Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-09

pay, in order to save the fellow from
bringing dishonor on the family name.
He did not say this to the public,
however. He was too proud for that.
He merely answered any inquiries
concerning Richard by saying be knew
nothing of him.
For two years Edith dwelt 10 her
home, with her mother and their two
servants, unmolested. IfRichard had
ever visited the village during that
period, no one knew it. People had
ceased to speak of him, aud it
was doubtful if any one often thought
of him, except Edith Raymond. His
absence was far from removing her
fear. She knew him two wga to be-
leve he would give her up 81 easilys
and, Notwithstanding the fac, That no
one had seen him, she had NJ doubt
but that he had been an OCCASIONAL, II
not frequent, visitor in tlb neigh
borhood.
She was possessed of an uaeonfort.
able feeling that he was liable ID drop
in upon her at any momentr And, as
the time drew near for herfosr's re-
turn, she was beset with The most
harassing anxiety. 1t was possible
that Richard might be dead but she
could not bring herself to reg upon
such contingency. And, il be were
living, his very silence was ominous.
She could not tell what way the fel.
lows cruel, passionate nature would
vent itself, but she was well assured
that he would yet visit der with
trouble Of some sort
1t had been Harrys requejt that the
wedding should take place Immediate
ly after his arrival. And S. for sew
eral weeks prior to the Tins he was
expected to be in port, PREPARATIONS
were being made for the evdt. When
this become generally known, it was
a much-talked.of affair; for both
parties were wealthy, and wealth sell
dom fails to render its pdssessor an
object of popular interest especially
in not over-rich community, such az
was to be found in the small New
England village where Egith's home
was Iooatsd. Her loyeiAs rstns'n and
the approaching wedding being so
widely known and speculated about,
increased Edlth's anxious forebodings.
She saw that il would be easy for
Richard Oakley to gain whatever in
formation he might desire concerning
HarIy's movements, and thus facili
tate the execution of any plan he
might have formed for frustrating the
marriage.
Strangely enough, her fears at this
time were in nowise directed 70 her.
self; that she was in personal danger
never once occurred to her. else she
might perhaps have exercised more
caution, and not have fallen so readily
into the trap that was laid for her.
At the foot Of the large garden al
the rear Of Edith's house, was situated
a pretty, vine covered summer. house.
1t was a favorite retreat Of hers, "a
sort Of resting-place from troubles and
vexations. Here she was almost sure
to be found at some hour Of the day
1t seemed easier to forget her anxiety
in this sheltered, quiet nook than else
where and even momentary relief
from the fear that pressed so heavily
upon her was grateful.
But the days dragged their slow
lengths along, and nothing happened
to mark their progress in the life o.
Edith, save that each succeeding one
brought her nearer to the hour wher
Harry was to return. 1t seemed t.
her that if she could only see him SAFE
in her home once more, all her fear
would vanish that, looking into hi
face, and hearing his voice, she conl'
forget that there was danger.
The eventful day dawned at length
fair and bright AZ only a June da.
can be. Had Edith been superstitious
she would have considered this a hap
py omen; but she was not, and so
failed to re-assure her.
Harry was to arrive at noon, an
the marriage was to take place a
seven P. NJ. Shortly before the trai
was due by which he was expected
Edith stole quietly out of the house
and ran down to the summer house t
wait for its warning whistle.
A mass Of tall, towering shrub
grew close to the entrance, and ex
tended around to a gateway in tn
rear Of the summer house, whic
opened from the garden into grow
of cedars. This grove sloped down