Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-06-17

-SA ~AAcH sAHtAnS auN
paneled ceiling. A couple of candles
burned on the dressing table, ant
threw faint light over the dark fur,
niture and the tapestries that huns
I-against the walls.
| Once more tried 10 call out, bat
my tongue seemed dried up, and my
voice refused to be heard. Presently,
to my relief, heard a human voice
1t evidently came from an apartuen,
beyond the one into which had ven.
tured. lmpelled, | hardly knew how,
| resolved to venture further; and as
my footsteps fell noiselessly on the
thick sarpss. | eonla hardly belisvs
was not wandering in a dream
through the mysterious chambers OF
the dead.
| Yet more and more distinctly
heard the sad low voice that had
caught my ear, and l approached
stealthily, and confess with some
thing like awe, the door, which, as
perceived, opened from the bedroom
to the chamber whence the voice pro-
ceeded. Here, as before, a curtain OF
antique tapestry reaching from the
ceiling to the floor concealed the aper-
ture, and trying cautiously the door
found that it opened towards me. This
gave me time to reflect before intrud-
ing, with stealthy steps, in the dead
of night, into the privacy of this in
most chamber. Like a guilty crea-
ture | stood and listened. The voice
for there seemed to be but one
was close at hand. 1t was a strange
ly melancholy voice, yet possessing a
fascinating power that chained me to
the spot.
"Will you never, never speak to
me again, my darling, my darling -
heard the words too plainly 10 mis-
take or forget them. "Will you never
speak to me again? Year after year,
as the day comes round, l have prayed
to God to grant me but one sweet
word-one word to tell me- Of your
love. Oh, my darling, my darling,
have | prayed in vain? Will those lips
never again open with a smile, those
eyes never again look into mine. even
when | come to you on my knees, as
do this Christmas morning"
These strange words reproached me
Into what sacred precincts had in
truded? What rt-brsaking griet
was l desecrating?
| Suddenly the tone of voice changed.
The sad pathos gave way to accents of
Joy. "See see my beloved one here
are gifts worthy of a Queen. Did not
tell you that the time would come
when all our troubles would be over,
when they would be no more fighting
for very bread, no more daily care
no more dread of the future; no fears
Of success, because it would be already
mine! All, Gertrude, my wife, my
darling, You were good and patient
with me in those days. II the clouds
were dark, your eyes were always
bright; If the heavens were overcast,
your smile drove away the storm
your voice was the music of nv life,
your ceaseless trust was my lode star
But all has changed. Those days
have passed. / am rich now: they
say | am famous. The day is now
too short for my work, and the night
too shout for rest. And vet l need
rest. | feel | cannot live much longer
if | may not rest. My brain is ever
reeling with its WEAKNESS, yet l can.
not sleep. Night after night is one
long vigil. No sleep, no rest, no peace
! have been waiting for this night fol
you, my love, for You And now the
hour has come. 1t is Christmas morn,
ing. Hark already l hear the sound
of the Christmas bells. All no won.
der, for my wife, my beloved, ha,
come back to me at last-come back
to me from the dead T.
In feverish excitement | listened
But there was no answer, not a sound
when that trembling voice ceased, tc
break the stiffness Of the night.
Presently it began again.
They tell me it Is thirty years ago
Nonsense. That is only dream. Il
was yesterday-yesterday that yot
spoke to me for the last time-yester
J day that you bade me goodbye, aul
kissed me when went away. AnC
to-day you are as you We're then. NJ
change, no change, none at all. You
, are as young and as fair as when
first tosk your hand in mine anC
called YOU wife.
Then there was pause, and wa
! conscious of some movement beycnC
fha fana.frr hahini rhinh [ rrar a., Il