Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-07-05


How much, May ."
Five dollars a quarter. besides the
books and pencils and paper. All,
dear il j. no use talking about it. |
! will never get there unless -hesi-
tatingly-"a wee pretty fairy will
bring me a pot of gold. You know
sll about the fairies, Mr.. Brooks, of
course, 50 need not tell you how good
they are sometimes to some people. ="
YES, dear" and who knows but
that one of these gifted people will be
generous to you and place pot Of
gold beside your pillow while you are
fast asleep"
"Ah Mr.. Brooks, she exclaimed,
clasping her hands and rising in her
excitement, II should Just lump for
Joy"
And we'll you might" laughed
Tom, until the woods gave back the
echo of his voice, then he too rose TO
accompany this delighted child to the
blackberry grounds.
This time she had little work to do,
for her escort was one of Natures own
sons and well trained in the art Of
blackberrying. 1t took but a short
while to replenish the bucket with its
luscious fruits; then they sauntered
homeward together, never stopping
until May held back the wicket gate
for him to enter. He looked up and
extended his hand for a goodbye, but
the child ignored the idea, begging
him to stay to dinner and partake of
her pies. u will not enjoy them at
all" she added, unless you can help
to eat them"
And l must not spoil your pleas.
ure s.second time today" he answered,
"but what will mamma say p
Mrs. Summeryille stood expectant.
1y 10 the doorway of the vineclad
porch awaiting the return of her
daughter, and felt somewhat annoyed
to find this stranger with her, but a
brief explanation soon put the good
woman az ease, and she readily re-
peated Mays invitation to dine with
them. And what hospitab.e meal it
was locking back through weary
dissatisfied years, how distinct grows
each object in that humble room.
There is the small round table, with
lis spotless cloth, and ancestral china
brought out upon this especial occss-
ion TO hold the well Drowned chicken;
the unequalled blackberry pies and
the very last Of the peach preserves.
Then there rises the haunting vision
o: curly head, bobbing up and down
between Mrs. Summerville and her
guest--the frail baby face of child
whom years Of absence failed to oblit-
crate. The meal well over, Mr.. Brooks
was shown the well cultivated garden,
with its borders of old world flowers,
wlile his hostess received with evil
dent satisfaction the compliments be.
slowed upon her early vegetables.
Returning to the cool neat parlor he
delighted his small but appreciative
audience with some favorite ballads,
rendered as his songs ever were with
much delicate expression. Then he
rose reluctantly to go, but to his utter
dismay his little acquaintance was
sobbing bitterly. 1t took some mo-
ments for her mother to quiet her, but
at last she dried her eyes and went
with him as far as the gate.
"You say you will return some day
after you have seen all the wonders
in that distant land to which you are
going? Then l shall pray each night
that the good God may keep you safe
and bring you back to me"
Thank you, darling, l am sure
your prayers will not remain unan.
swered. And now. May, it has oc.
Cured to me that as this is your birth
day it would only be right for me to
give you a present. But will you
promise that You will not open it un.
til the stars come out tonight, and
even then you will let mamma see il
first ?"
Certainly will promise and thank
you very much, although I may no
see it."
He held a sealed envelope to her
and as she accepted 1t, she stood Oh
tip toe and pressed two childish lip
to his cool forehead. Then Ton
Brooks walked away in the eveninj
twlhght's stiffness, to return no NOR
until this iniantine specimen of girl
hood should have ripened into tn
| perfect woman.
II is Autumn-Autumn with i;
/ grey haired candy tufts-its yello'
-ausrs of ,nl1an rol. IL "a.