Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-02-22
"A rrNE THING ron GRACE

4 aA@A 80 enSJs AZ tAAto an
stance, represented the combined
wisdom of Grace Ludlow's numer-
Gus relatives and friends, it should
be admitted as a fact, i suppose,
that it certainly was a fine thing,
and she girl to be envied, upon
reaching the ultiinatum of any sem
sible woman's NEST ardent desires.
Here was social elevation, wealth,
fine establishment. unlimited cred
it at all the uptown houses-in
short, vision of future bliss only
marred by slight encumbrance--
a husband.
Grace had thought very little of
the encumbrance. In fact, busy
aunts, 'spapa' upon the brink of
bankruptcy, and crowds Of younger
sisters, had scarce given her time to
think at all. She had heard thou
sand times of all the advantages of
the grand match. First, like Sat-
All, they had shown her all the
worldly possessions that should be
hers; then, failing to rouse her to
sense of her brilliant future, had
pathetically represented the desper-
ate state Of things at home-that
home where to strangers all spoke
of unlimited wealth and happiness.
"Papa" talked desperately of a final
crash, limited at suicide, and even
spoke of a shroud and coffin as be-
ing the only articles he now desired
from an ungrateful world. ga few |
thousands would save him, yet he
expected no sacrifice from others,
he whc had sacrificed his life for his
family. He scorned to force his
daughter to thing of this kind
she must choose for herself" &c.
Blanche and Flo, Grace's young
er sisters, thought, of course, as
most of us do, only of self, and
talked in high glee of the great we'd
ding, their bridemaid dresses, and |
how nice It would be not to have all |
of them old maids.
In short, the future, dark as it
would surely prove to this girl,
hitherto bred in luxury, was painted
even blacker than it might prove in
reality, and placed before her eyes.
Poverty, loss Of friends, the sneers
of purse-proud people-such
thoughts were agonizing to girl Of
Grace Ludlow's sensitive pride, SO
she listened to the advice of those
older and wiser (?) than herself,
and hence, one brilliant October
morning. found herself in bridal
attire, soon to become the wife of
Ralph Alroy.
1t had all been so sudden. She
had only met in August at the
Springs, and here in barely two
months was to stand at the altar and
speak the few words which would
bind her life. Somehow the thought
stifled her, and she raised the win
dow, threw back the heavy curtains,
and leaning ont inhaled one long
breath of the brisk autumn air.
What a fair day and only one
year before life had looked as fair
to her; yet the world was the same,
aud only her heart, soon to be black
ened with lie, the first she had
ever uttered, had known change.
Alas (! these ofiieious friends who
had driven her on to this step had
given her few moments for medi-
tation ere the ceremony, and these
are the thoughts that bring tears to
her eyes, and cause head and heart
to throb with sluggish pain.
Back flies memory to her happy
girlhood, so soon to be left behind,
and pair Of eyes she loves looks
down into hers as she relies ov> the
hazy hills in the snmmer twilight.
eve are friends, Grace" gem
tie voice is saying. 'good friends;
and you, little one, are the only
woman | have ever met who entire
ly pleases me. If things had been
different in my life, and felt in a
position to marry, You are the wo-
man | would have chosen for nv
wife"
Flushed cheeks aud fearful ewes
assure him of her love. and he strokes
his mnstache in self-satisfied wav.
and is conscious of faint twinge of
remorse that his "little friend" has
really grown to care for him, and
taken his nonsense for earnest. He
has won her heart easily; Grace
Ludlow confesses it with bitter self
contempt, and he scarcely values