Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1893-12-07

relative. lie had been in the
country long enough to have had
that fact firmly impressed upon his
mind.
Then there remainded only the
choice of two evils. Either the
girl was CO the lower classes-possi-
bic some disreputable character
whose acquaintance would surely
bring disaster to his friend, or else
she was q rank imposter of some
sort, whose aim could only be evil.
And yet-Watson said she was of
remarkable beauty, she was well
educated, she spoke English perfect
ly, how were these qualities to be
accounted for in an impostor or one
of the uneducated lower class /? Bell
niger drew long breath of anxiety;
the more he thought about it the
more complicated the problem be-
came, until at length he decided
that there was only one way out of
the maze. He did not like to play
the spy upon Watson. But his
friend was plainly infatuated with
the girl, and for both their sakes
and for the sake Of Watson's family,
he decided to have "A consultation
with ManOel. He would put the
case to him plainly and demand
whatever information the mestizo
could furnish. If he could tell
him nothing, at least two heads
were better than one, and they
would act jointly to secure Watson's
safety.
The sun seemed to drop suddenly
below the horizon and the night
descended with tropic swiftness.
Still the young men lay in their
hammocks, both of them thinking
fast and both thinking about the
same subject. At length. after
several cigars had been consumed,
Watson swung himself out of his
hammock and stood upright,
stretching his cramped limbs with
affected nonchalance.
Going out for walk, Harry p
asked his friend.
Yes
With her. significantly.
Unless she disappoints me = He
expected some further remonstrance
from Bellinger, but none came.
i hope you may enjoy it, said
the latter, though / still think you
are rash,'
Never mind, I'll take care of
myself, returned Watson, as he
stepped off the veranada and swung
up the street at pace that of itself
would have served to mark him as
q foreigner. Bellinger watched
him until he had DISAPPEARED in the
darkness, then he called softly,
'ManOel =
There was no answer he whistled
shrilly and called again.
Coming, senior" The man
was close beside him, his bare feet
treading noiselessly.
sit down, Manoel, and take cigar I
want TO talk TO you
Yes, senior lie was wondering what
| sort of information the Americana wanted
now. 1t had been several weeks since he
had been called on to instruct either of
| them in the native customs. Bellinger
dashed straight at the root of the matter.
'Manoel. do you know anyone here in
Ega who speaks English ?
No, senior. Excepting us three, not a
soul understands a word of the language
Nor anyone in the neighborhood?
No one within two hundred miles, as
far as have ever heard
That is very stranger Bellinger spoke
doubtfuly as though he believed the man
liar, though he felt confident the mestizo
was speaking the truth according to his
knowledge. Because. Manoel, for at least
a week Mr.. Watson has been spending his
evenings with young woman who speaks
English perfectly. How do you account
for that?'
Impossible, senior! You must be mis-
taken
Il haven't met her myself, but I'm quite
sure Watson knows English when he
hears it, and just as sure that he knows a
pretty girl when he sees one returned
Bellinger, dryly.
But, SENIOR exclaimed the man, Il
know every soul within fifty miles of Ega,
and there is no such person here
But Watson has been meeting her every
evening"
Senior Bellinger,' said Manoel earnest
lY, are you quite certain that your friend
is entirely saneg'
| Bellinger Chuckled. Il wish he could
heal that! he said. Yes, I'm quite sure
he's all right there-until he falls in love
which he does periodically.
i am in earnest, senior, because either
he is deceived in some way, or else know