Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1890-01-02

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the old, old pain. wonder some
times that / did not 60 mad. How /
lived through that last day do not
kaow. She did something Of which I
could not approve Of. / went 10 her
as kindly as possible and spoke to her
about Il, Oh how angry she was.
She told me then that she had never
loved noe and left me-Ieft me TO my
sorrow alone 1 went TO her and
pleaded with her to conc back to me,
II only for her own sake, but she
laughed at me and then ! went away.
For four years | travelled to The most
POPULAR Joints Of the globe. trying to
forget my sorrow, bat each day seaTndd
70 bring it more viYidIy before me.
and it WAS in this frame Of mind hat
| met your father. and he invited me
to tpend Christmas with him. Ait
fret | refused, as ! had all invitations
for Yesrs, bnt when he repeated his
invitation by letter | com ncnced TO
Thick more fayorably Of il. Why
should ! not go2 / argued with my.
SELF. A little social visit may help
me to forget my trouble. | had new
er told Squire Hartwick my story
why should I probe the wonnd | was
trying 70 heal 2--and never thinking
Of appearing under false colors visii-
ted your home. Well, Alma, you
know what followed then. learned
70 love you. 1t came upon me 80
anddeHly thlt for one brief moment
! forgot al 10 my passionate love, for
got ny darkened life. forgot the cloud
that hung over me, that held me aIoof
from all love, especially that Of
good woman. When / came to my
senses left you, Alma, left you to 90
back to darker, weariar life. Ahi
the darkness and WEAKNESS Of It you
can never imagine, more 40 because I
had seen something in your eyes when
you raised them 10 my face that told
me my love WIS returned. One year
ago received telegram telling me
Of my wife's illness. | went to her
and found her dying. ! think she
was more beautiful than ever, for
there WAS look on her face | had
never seen there before, look Of re-
pentance. She cluag 10 me with
cries for forgiveness. ] took her 10
my arms and granted every wish while
she prayed me not 10 let her sin ruin
my life She told me that il she
thought her death would bring ME
happiness abe would die content. Sa
I teld her ef the love that had come
10 me that Christmas tide. The light
that broke on the pale face was beau
tiful 70 see, AZ she raised her hands to
with a cry to Heaven. Thank God,
she said, i will not darken your whole
life; and, hubert. when I am dead.
you will 20 10 her and tell her for me
that Il is my dying prayer that she
VIII redeem your broken life and
Heaven will bless her for it. Alma,
she died, died with her head upon ny
breast and smile upon her face.
And now far away 10 an old church
yard there Is a white marble monu
ment rising above the snow upon
grave, on which is carved .VxLERIA,
WIRE oF HUBERT HEATH. "
There was silence ia the room when
he had finished, only the faint sound
Of the music came dFeamily 10 them
from the dancing hall. Then Hubert
Heath raised the fair. dropping head.
alma, he whispered, "a year has
passed since then, the grass has grown
green above her resting place, aud
have cone to you with her message.
Is it too late or are you unwilling TO
finish the work she left undoue Only
look into my eyes and let me see il |
Am to stay here or 70 out again into
The dark, cold world alone. Look up
and tell me il you will redeem the
past or have | waited in vain r.
The beautiful golden head was
raised, a hand was now placed upon
his now bowed as one awaiting the |
sentence at the bar Of justice.
Hubert, and her voice was full |
Of tears, could my love help you to
forget those darkened yeara
All the look 10 the eyes that were !
raised to hers told how well II would |
atone for the past.
Then it shall be redeemed, she
said softly. And clasping her 10 his
arms he cried, Thank God f.
"Hark4s she whispered, ado you |
not hear it, Hubert2 DO yoa hear
the Christmas chimes The bells are |
ringing out over the wosld-'Glory to
God in the highest. ON earth peace.
good will towards men {"
Amen" said Hubert Heath as he
gently drew her to an open easement,
and while standing together gazing |
out upon the new fallen snow now
and sparkling beneath the
shimmering light Of The stars, the
song that the angels once sang 10
Heaven coming softly to them on the
crisp. frosty air, the sorrow and dark |
ness Of their past life went out, while
the Joy and peace Of the Christmas
tide entered, there to dwell forever
more. NJ
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