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

~ith reckless gayety which does not
Hind him.
1T is very warm here, he remarks
clrclessly, as be shuts M the music be
las bscn turning for hssr. Let us fad
cooler seat
The words are easua. enough, but
there is son eihirg more than enirea
~ in them, and Monica decides il
must he q command. How she hal
exercised all her wosnan's wit TO evaie
this interview, and now in the defeat
ef her plans she could cry out with
shame and anger; Int slowly and with
great determination che takes bis arm
and finds sheltered nook among the
blooming plants in the conservatory.
Ii is full minute before eithe. speak,
and then his voice breaks the silence,
but it seems very stern and far away.
"WilI you tell me WY you have
discarded my POOR homeless flowers
to-nishtY he questions in a measured
tone.
There is something in his manner
which irritates her more, and what
ever thought Of relenting once held
her uncertain, now decides the fate Of
the two.
"Did you suppose / could always
favor your she answers. Surely,
since am betrothed to Sir Reginald
Norton, you will permit me the privi-
lege OF acknowledging his kindness
Just once in a while?
Have the liggts suddenly gone out,
the flowers withered, the fountain
ceased to play, or had an innocent
child stabbed him in the heart? He
passed his hand across his brow as is
to wipe away this dreadful dream, and
then the delusion vanished with an
outburst Of outraged feelings.
SO this is the end, or rather the
beginning, Of my wisdom? You did
speak truthfully when you babe me
remember that the child and the wo-
Inen were two distinct individuals.
Thank God for that | shall treas.
IRE still the memory Of the fair one
who has never come back at all. And
when you recall the names of those
whom you have so mercilessly duped,
favor for the last time Claude Caring
ton by erasing his name. Seek the
Arcadia you have purchased at the
expense of love and honor and happi.
ness, but in your revellings be assur-
e.: at least that one living man has
had the power to hate you
The cold moon beams falling on the
misty panes caught for an instant the
expression of his face. 1t was changed
entirely changed. All the gentle
softness had died away, leaving only
bitterness. Without another word or
look he turned and walked away. He
saw nothing of the clouded eyes of the
girl who had wrecked his life, and he
lei. no pleading from the outstretched
arms that sadly clasped the empty
air.
1t has been thirty years since Mon.
lea Montdeville looked in for the last
time upon the circle in which she
rcigned supreme. How many youth.
full faces then bright and unheeding
have lived out their restless yearn-
lugs! Yet her lonely heart beats on
still unsatisfed. but wiser and mere
purified. In glancing back over lost
time, she feels grateful at least that
courage was given her to renounce an
alliance So despised that it would have
been an insult to her higher feelings
OF self-respect.
Mrs. Harvey did not long enjoy her
fright career, though even in death
her many admirera felt powerless to
award her Just tribute for the lavish
ness she had bestowed upon them.
There was absolutely nothing left to
endear Monica to her surroundings.
so she turned once more towards the
Highland home she deserted. The
property once owned by her humble
parents had been bought by stranger
hands, yet nature, more faithful than
herself, recalled many familiar scenes.
With untlrlng energy she d voted her
remaining life in behalf of her own
people. She purchased with the means
Mrs. Harvey bequeathed her, her
childhoods home again, and opened a
school for the Lene6t of the untaught
children CT the neighborhood. Once
in awhile they were also treated to
we'll managed entertainment, made
wonderfully enticing by the heavily |
loaded tables and sp:ightly danced |
reels which followed those generous
Iepasts. They were never at loss
either for music. for the lads had |
grown perfect on their pipes by long
practice, regardless OF distended ewes |
and swollen faces. There was not |
fisherman's hut in all the Sn~- y - :
country thst- AiSkage,i IN agA SAitiInS
pursuits to cou,~-.uuor ser name and
with IL ,S>:ntea"1 iand that supplied
~ >$Sy ..ainty beyond the reach
~S :;as 'nited means; i
Many and varied are the thoughts
that fit through her mind as she
stands upon that same shining shore
TO watch the waves at rsst and catch
the last CLEAN of the setting sun,
which sinks far below the sombre for
ests and blackened peaks Of the pre-
cipitous cliffs. Who that once knew
this aged woman with furrowed brow