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

dent Of success after the death Of Mr.
Raymond. He felt that one powerful
influence against him had been re-
moved. His elation, however, lasted
only a brief time. But few months
passed before Edith went with her in.
valid mother to visit some relatives in
distant city. There she met Cap
tain Belknap and it is to be supposed,
tell in love with him. At all events,
she became very happy at the prospect
of being his wife-or would have been,
had it not been for the terrible threats
of Richard Oakley, whose rage knew
no bounds when she at 9Th returned
home accompanied by her lover.
He made no secret Of his resentment,
and openly declared his determination
to be revenged. He repeatedly vowed
that Edith should be his bride, or the
bride of Death. This was considered,
however, as mere meaningless raving
by every one except Edith. 1t filled
her with alarm. Still, she felt that
there was no help for it. She woHld
rather die thousand times than be
the wife Of Richard Oakley. Yet, she
feared more for the safety of Harry
than for herself though they were
both in danger of harm at Richard g
hands, she was very sure. For this
reason she insisted on deferring their
marriage till Harry should return
from the voyage he was about to
undertake to India. It would give
Richards anger space to cool and,
mayhap, before two years should
elapse-the time Harry expected to
be absent-he would become recon.
ciled to his fate. At all events, she
would be safer during their enforced
separation unmarried and her lover
would be for Q time beyond the reach
of his foe.
She would gladly have accompa-
MED Harry upon his voyage as his
wife, had it not been for her mother,
who chung to her with all the help
lessness of child. She could not
leave her. and so there seemed moth.
ing left her to do but wait, and hope
that time would bring about changes
favorable to her happiness.
Not an easy thing for one 80 young,
this waiting for the possible coming of
events that she most anxously desired,
but which seemed at best too uncer-
tain 10 merit the least reliance. Yet,
when Edith felt convinced what course
was best for her. she seldom hesitated
to pursue it, no matter how hard ii
might be. She was both brave and
strong.
Painful as it was to part from Harry,
she experienced a sense Of relief when
she saw the ship that was TO bear him
from her, perhaps forever, slowly re-
cede from the wharf. He was safe
now from Richard Oakley 8 vengeance,
at least.
So imminent had she deemed his
peril from this source, that the danger
to be encountered from the elements
seemed trihing IN comparison.
Before bis departure Harry had
given her a ring, curious, antique
gem, which had been presented to his
father by an eastern monarch, whose
life he had been instrumental in saw
ing. 1t was large onyx, with
heavy gold setting, upon which were
engraved various odd characters and
symbols. The stone itself contained
an exquisite intaglio Of cronchinf
lion, in the head of which was skill
fully concealed tiny spring A very
slight pressure, upon this particular
point caused needle.like blade o
steel to shoot forth from beneath thu
, onyx; and this was said to be imbueC
with poison so actively and subtl.
. powerful as to cause almost instan
death when introduced into the human
system through slight puncture 0
the skin.
Harry Belknap, however, had no
} the slightest faith in the traditionar.
/ virtue Of this seemingly insignifcan
! weapon. He valued the jewel chief
/ on account of its antiquity, and it
! being associated with the memory q
. his deceased father. The hiddel
properties Of the steel had never bee
3 tested that he knew of; 80 he laugh
=, ingly told Edith that when she foun
:. a fit subject she had better try it
power.
a Soon after Captain Belknap sale
: for India, Richard Oakley also disaT
e peared. Where he had gone nobod
knew. In fact, he had no friend VIII
r cared to keep trace of him except hi
y uncle; and even he, had he told tn