Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-02-23

~ IA
ss Planned myself. and hope in youl
estimation il 9ill be - suocessfnl a
the lonely sketch among the angry
seas. and lowering elonas.'
The lnoraing. now almost gone
seemed insxpreszibIy happy 10 the
noble man xko ealloped away through
The sighing forests. and jet . sadness
was settling over the thonghtfal brow
deeper than il had ever known before.
He scarcely noted the autumn woods
clothed everywhere in their gorgeous
attire Of crimson and gold: neither the
still verdaut fields; the noisy brook
nor the rfsAttsrina birds which wsrs
already preparing to depart for q
warmer cline. He was living over
again some sunny mornings in far
away Scotland, when as a light heart.
ed boy all unconscious of time or
separation-he had gathered shells
from the shining shores for a child
not not more than twelve years Of age.
He could see her still, as she held out
her wide-checked apron to receive
them, and then as a recognition Of
his trouble she would warble one OF
her quaint sweet ballads. When
would he ever lose sight of this laugh.
ing girl with her sleeveless arms and
shoeless feetf Are the passing breezes
cheati ng him now or does he in reali.
ty still catch the sound of her plain.
tive voice even across this wide space
which has intervened between the
boy and the man?
-
The anticipated evening arrives.
Mrs. Harvey's handsome residence is
a bewildeiing paradise of colored
lights, delicious odors and rare exot.
les. The air seems languid with the
perfume Of blooming flowers. Tableaux
and Charades form the first part of
the programme; after that ether di.
gressions even more desirable. Loud
applause follows each successful rep
resentation, but Claude Darlington
awaits patiently the closing scene.
The curtain rises. and standing idly
amongst moss covered rocks, dropping
ferns and forest boughs, the audience
recognize the Queen of Fashion.
Her costly silks and flashing diamonds
are Tur uuve urscaruru, anu iu uu-iI
place she has donned a crimson suit,
which reaches just low enough to half
reveal two snowy feet. Her unbound
hair falls loose and unadorned to the
hem of her gown, while few stray
tresses droop over the pale clear fore.
head. With her left hand she holds
bright colored turban, while the
right is raised to shade her eyes from
the glaring lights. II was enough.
Claude Darlington scarcely drew his
breath. but resting his head in his
gloved hand gives himself up to the
rapture of that long coveted moment.
Only a few seconds she stood thus,
when soft, sweet song, that had re-
peated itself to him so often in 81
lence, now held the speeckers audience.
The cheer that followed this was sim
ply deafening and exquisite bouquets
fell at the lovely maiden's feet, but
she picked mp a single lily from the
many and repeated her song. She
felt he understood, and with feelings
strongly akin to pain she stepped from
the stage. An hour later she had
adopted the baubles that so well be-
came her station, but never had they
seemed so worthless as to- night. Even
the soft, dreamy music Jared upon
some inner feelings now and cautious
ly making her way past the merry
dancers she hattered herself she had
escaped unseen.
oh! if could but fly away from
all this torturing hollowness, she ex-
claimed, casting herself upon a rustic
seat near the sparkling fountain. The
mask had fallen from her face and fol
once she stood revealed to herself, q
sad and unsatisfied woman. She knew
not that two eyes as moist as her own
were regarding her steadfastly and 81.
lently. Then. no longer able to con.
troll his feelings, he advanced to where
I she sat.
I Monica, he said, looking down upor
the bent face with infinite tenderness
MY own lost Monica; you have come
back to me-to me once more
1t seemed impossible at first for thi
proud beauty to frame an answer; ther
suddenly with feigned strength sh'
replied:
j was wrong to undeceivs you
You know, Mr.. Darlington, what eve
ry one says about me. I am only
vain, frivolous woman, with no highe
ambition than wealth. and no plea