Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-10-18

into the house, to forget her lone
illness as best she could in doing up
the morning housework.
She had long day, all to her.
self. and many q little piece of
work that had been put by for q
favorable time she managed to fin
ish. In the afternoon she happen
ed to think Of an interesting book,
which one Of her school-friends had
lent her q day or two before, and
she sat down by the open window
to enjoy it.
She was so absorbed in its con-
tents, that she was startled when
she heard sweet voice say
Shall / intrude If / step in and
rest amyself srfew moments p
Tilly looked up, and young
lady, beautifully dressed, stood be-
fore her. She had a sweet, winning
face, and the most faultless grace
of manner. She was instantly
charmed with her strange visitor,
and quickly replied
Not in the least. Walk right
in
The young lady took the chair
offered, which was a cushioned
rocker, and sank into it's easy depths
in utter weariness.
1was journeying with my friends
she explained, 'and somehow have
strayed away from them, and we've
become separated
Il dare say they will find you,'
said lilly, hopefully, 'and, in the
mean time, you can rest here as
long as you choose
THANK you; this is such a clean,
coy little home, it will be real
treat to stay here a while, replied
the young lady.
The two girls were soon chatting
as familiarly as though they had al
ways known each other. As it grew
toward night, and the strange lady's
friends did not appear, Tilly won
dered why she appeared SO perfectly
easy about her situation.
Not long after ten, the lady said,
IF you will allow me to spend the
night here, l will make some ar
rangement whereby ] can meet my
friends farther on
4 should be very glad to have you
stay, replied lilly, 'as my father
and mother have gone upon a journ-
ey, and it will be pleasant to have
company
BY and by Uncle John came in,
and was introduced to Tiily's visi-
tor, who made herself very agreea-
bic to him, as she chatted about the
crops and other matters that she
thought would interest him.
She retired quite early, and lilly
gave her the spare bedroom, which
led out of the parlor.
Where did that young woman
come from?' asked Uncle John, as
Tilly returned to the kitchen.
She explained the story of her
having become separated from her
friends, and of seeking rest there.
1T is rather of strange state
ment, ! should think replied q Uncle
John.
do you think there is anything
wrong about her, Uncle John?'
asked Tilly, anxiously.
Il cannot say there is,' he replied
but there's strange glitter in her
eye once in q while, which / don't
like. think she'll bear watching.
There were two bedrooms leading
from the kitchen. Tilly occupied
one, and Uncle John retired to the
other, where Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford
usually slept.
About midnight lilly awork with
a start, and thought she heard
strange sounds in the kitchen.
She crept out of bed. and looked
through the crack of the door, which
was ajar. There she saw q sigh,
which froze her blood with horror.
Her young-lay guest was standing
by the table, clad in her night-dress.
and wildly brandishing the carving
knife, whose sdgsr AHA-u ITO -,;rD
then, she wo" .;ce S'c
on .na, hs' fi.s .s. v nssssss,srsa' 'rss ss, s.,
won't she?' 81 WV os Oh
is so thin and a
tell me I'll ha, ~ 40, v
tonight. Ha, b a s-,na.
Tilly tried q so toN,p
could MT make ,cAe II,
, intense relief q ,xess "a