Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-08-12


ted her mentally. II s. es1ded the
question perhaps chance lasEht reveal
what sought TO know
That evening we thrsa luet in the
parior. When I entered Reba. waz
engaged in low and earnA.l coszsersa-
tiOn with her stspfAiher. shs imme-
diately ceasedstslkins ~ torped her
face towards me. fx III lhs hint
est trace Aof aaspsaI 4 aler Q her
bright eyes and her exlwive ssoun-
tenancs. Ssiil ! remenl "a ths in
jnction to be judiciocz ins Asersmtion.
SIT is : beautiful 4 s. al ths
moan shinez lriahsls = Fsg'-=z-s-.e'
| with histrionic stress. Z
The girls eyes dilated With uncon-
cealed pleasure as she answered.:
"Oh. do continue, cousin dear; your
moonlight rhapsody, ! am a,re, will
be fine"
1t was sweet to be called de ar. even
with a privileged prefix. by one 50
lovely, no matter how unbalgnced.
II will repeat Shelley's Ode to the
Moon. for you. if you like" I respon.
ded.
The deacon protested; he ,lidn't de-
sire to hear anything from Shelley.
He requested Reba to sing an a com.
promise.
She went to the piano and sang in q
sweet voice the Ballad of Houba-
dour. I was moved by the purity and
crystalline melody of her notes. She
asked me if I sang. and before knew
what answer made we were singing
Mendelssohn's duet, II would that my
love-"
1t must have brought back tender
memories to her. A tear fell from her
eyes as she ceased. and she hurriedly
bade Inc good night and departed.
The deacon had buried his face in
both his hands. When he looked up
his eyes were red and he said in a
husky tone of voice: ST.
81 heard her mother sing that way
a few days before she died.
l intended to ask all aoout Reba 8
mental arrangement. but Iconcludsd
to wait and not add more anguish to
him that night.
retired, but could nors sissp. The
melody of Reba's voice rang in my
ears and her beautiful face haunted
my vision. | got up and dressed. I
gazed out of my window at the clear,
moonlight night. 1t was tempting.
so | descended and strolled to the
rusty old fountain. Everything was
iuiet and the fsr-off bark OF dog
had lonesome wall in its dying
echoes. Suddenly a light beamed
from lower window in the house.
1t was in Reba's room. could not
refrain from looking, when my heart
sank within me at the sight l beheld.
The figure of the girl, clad in white
material. that clung in classic folds to
her superb form, was standing erect.
her long hair falling in wild disorder
over her shoulders. In her right hand
she held poniard on high. its bright
blade pointed at her bosom.
In imagination / saw the crimson
stream stain the white robe. heard the
short gasp and moan. and pressed the
cold form that lay silent on the floor.
| I sprang to my feet and rushed for
ward. my only impulse being to reach
her before she fell. I prayed that
some thought would seize her and
make her stay her mad purpose but
for minute. I reached the window
just as the flashing blade was dashed
to the hoor, and the girl stood un.
harmed.
With a single bound l. cleared the
low windowsill and caught her in my
arms.
"Reba, for Gods sake don't kill
yourselfI" / cried.
She turned pale and freed herself
from my arms. / thought perhaps
she would faint. She sat down in
chair and began to laugh heartily.
It seemed to amuse her infinitely.
Ny feelings were wrought up TO high
pitch, and / started to speak harshly
to her for such levity. when suddenly
it occurred to me that her crazy fit
was upon. her.
| Pity for her condition was more in
order than censure.
did you see me with the poniard ?"
she asked smiling.
4 When explained where I was at
and how / felt. rushing forward to
save her, abe said.
II believe You have the elements Of
hero in you. You wanted to save
q