Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-06-13

you nave prilliaat future before
you, George; with me to provide
for, you could never raise. In ro-
nance, young wife is always the
great spur to exertion and success;
but in real life, George, | know too
well how different it is
Rachel, you will drive me mad!
What are you going to do? You
cannot have formed any really wise
plan
ooh, yes, / have; and one / shall
speedily execute, as you will see.
But, come, let rs talk of something
else-of something pleasant-of my
cousin Oscar and his doings, for
instance she said, with a bitter
laugh. Have you heard how he is
getting on under his new condi-
tions?'
1T is the scandal of the county,
said George. He has filled Cross
wood with a crew Of profligete
wretches like himself, and their life
there is a continual revel. / sup
pose you have read of the life of
Lord Byron and his friends at New
stead, when he was q young man
something, perhaps-well, 0scsr,s
deal like -
1eza szr5 but i = plszsa1tto
know that he IL enjoying his inner
itance. Oh, here comes Father
Carmel; and / do believe he has
walked all the way from the land
ing in the hot SUM-
1t was quite true. Very much
altered looked the kindly old man
as he came up, almost breathless
with his long walk-days had made
the difference of years. So, after
greetings, they went into the house.
"A little later, the priest and
Rachel were alone together, and he
said: MY child, George tells me
you have made some plan for the
future and will not reveal it. Will
you not tell me?' he asked, anxious
ly.
In the simplicity of his character,
l think he had kind Of dread that
he had lost her confidence.
Yes, l will tell you, Father Car
mel, l have a mind to 90 into q
convent
A look of trouble, pain, surprise,
fitted across his face, and, after
little pause, he said:
But you have no vocation. am
afraid
1T will come in. time, Father Car
mel, and can at least pray for it;
and l suppose there are some who
have entered religious life without
a distinct vocation. I don't expect
to be happy; but l can be resigned.
Il hope you will not resolve upon
any step rashly, my child,' he an
swered, still troubled and little
absently.
She saw that he did not approve;
that he doubted if she could ever
be, as she said, resigned; and there
were, no doubt, other considera-
tions which made him still more
anxious-the real motive, impulse,
or what you please, at the bottom.
of all this.
A silence succeeded.
The sweet Summer breeze came
in at the window, the voices of the
birds, the faint shouts of the dis
tant plowman to his horse-the
world looked SO happy.
Suddenly there was a sound of
rapid footsteps-a man was running
up the garden-path, red-faced and
out of breath. He looked like
groom.
What is it p asked George, who
was on the porch.
A whispered confab ensued.
Something happened thought
Rachel, turning pale.
How is it that we know this in
tuitively? She stepped to the win
dow.
is anything the matter, Georgea'
she asked, trying to command her
voice.
George, also pale and excited, ar,-
preached. ~
Something serious, I am afraid.
Father Carmel is needed immedi-
ately at Crossword. The doctors
are already there he said rapidly.
But Chat is it % demanded Ra-
chel, impatiently.
well, there has been disturb
ance, and Oscar Ludlow has been
hurt-very badly, l am afraid-and
and they think O clergyman had