Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-02-28

world. Il isn't far, really, is IL?
about o mile,' said Tom.
only mile. Oh, that Ia moth
ing. Let us walk. Shall wes'
Decidedly, if you wish it. You'i
better take my arm again. for in
her rapturous admiration she had
slipped her hand loose, the streets
are slippery
They walked on for three or four
minutes. Suddenly Doiiy's foot
slipped. Tom, with remarkable
presence Of mind, prevented her
from falling BY putting his arm
around her waist. It had never
happened before, and she was over
come by the strangeness Of it. She
didn't say anything, but she blush
ed, and her face looked exquisitely
pretty. don't think Tom was to
be blamed very much for bending
down and kissing it. He should
not have done it, of course; it was
wrong; but the temptation was con
siderable. Dolly released herself
Indignantly, pushing him from her.
They walked q short distance in
awkward silence.
Dolly are you angry with mer
No reply.
'Dolly'--very humbly-Im
awfully sorry; but you looked so
pretty that 1 couldn't help it.
Still severe silence.
Won't you forgive me Dolly"
The gray eyes were fixed on the
ground, and the pretty lips were
pressed firmly together. He caught
her fingers. She tried to pull them
away, but it was useless.
Won't you forgive me, Dolly%
he said again.
She found her voice at length.
Il wish you wouldn't make me
say anything. Ofcourse, l forgive
you, but-you oughtn't to have
done it,
Il am really very sorry, Dolly, he
said, repentantly.
Then the snow came down.
There was no mistake about it,
either; it did come down, with a
vengeance. The flakes were nearly
as large as a man's hand, and the
sky was full of them.
Dolly said Tom, firmly, you
must take my arm and hold it tight
ly. We are going to catch it.
She took his arm, and he hurried
her along as fast as he could. 1t
was no use. The snow pelted their
faces so severely that in less than
two minutes they were nearly numb
ed with the cold.
'We must shelter somewhere till
the violence of the snow storm is
spent, said Tom. He looked about
him for convenient doorway. For
tunately, there was one near. He
placed Dolly inside it. SO that the
snow could not get TO her, and
stationed himself at her side.
Are you cold, Dollyp he said.
Not very, thank you,' she re-
piled. 'Are you?'
Il? Oh! it doesn't matter about
me, dear. You are the important
member of this small community.
Are you sure you are not cold?
Will you have my muffier?'
He commenced to take it off.
NO, indeedp exclaimed Dolly,
preventing him. do you think
would take it from you? But il
was kind of you to offer livery
kind! You are kind to me-
'KindV said Tom, warmly who
could help being kind?'
He pressed more closely to her.
Outside the snow was descending
heavily.
Dolly said Tom, speaking low,
have you quite forgiven me?'
She smiled, but did not say any
thing. His arm stole round her
again. She made no effort to re-
pulse it. He looked into her face.
The cold had turned it dead white,
bat it was beginning to glow again,
and he thought never looked pref
tier.
Dolly he whispered, Il love
you.'
Her heart bounded. He loved
her! Oh!the blissful thought,
Dolly he whispered again,
could you care for me ever SO little.'
YES she murmured.
Their eyes and then their lips,
met. After that / don't think