Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-06-20
Saint Maru's Beacon
RACE FOR A BRIDE.


Bay, was the site OF three large
farms OF more than 400 acres. But
the ceaseless roll of the tides of the
bay and river on the two sides and
the numerous ice gorges of the
northern rivers of the bay have
caused the island to be worn away
to a mere shadow of it's former
self.
The lighthouse, which is now
more than half a mile away from
the northern end Of the island, was
then on solid ground, 100 or 200
yards from the water. But the
Choptank has not been changed.
1t ia still one OF the most pictur-
esque rivers in the State. In fact,
it puts one more in mind Of the
interior of a West Indian Island
than that Of middle Atlantic
State. The growth of vegetation
is so luxuriant and dense that in
some cases it is with great difficulty
that passage is made in going
through the woods which line its
bank. The water is Of beautiful
dark blue and has that freshness
and sadness of air about it which
is only possessed by the ocean
itself.
On ths particular day the sky
was radiant with flooded sunshine,
and a gentle breeze was blowing red
client with summers fragrsnces.
There was a delightful calmness on
the river and bay, which persuaded
one to spend his time in idly dream
ing. A number of fishermen were
indulging in this occupation under
the shady trees after several hours
of sport. Suddenly from one end
of the island came swiftly rowed
boat, in which were number Of
young people steered by a benevolent
and elderly looking man. Closely
following, and seemingly in pursuit
Of it, came second boat steered
by middle aged man, and pro-
PEELED by two sturdy young men.
Well IL there amt Nellie
Barnes and Dick Wilson running
away to get married = exclaimed
one Of the fishermen.
And there goes old man Roche,
Nellie's stepfather in pursuit. Now
won't Rome howl =
Il bet On the lovely bride =
And | on the stern parent
Come boys, come! Jump into
the boat, and LETT see the fun out
Dick Wilson's father had died
some years ago, and left the son a
fine farm of $50 acres. Adjoining
the Wilson farm was that of John
Roche. For years there had been
bad blood between the neighbors.
1t was all on account of point of
land projecting into the Choptank.
Both Wilson and Roche claimed il,
and, when it was taken to law, it
was decided in favor of Wilson.
About two years ago Roche married
pretty widow named Barnes.
She had a daughter whose name
was Nellie. 1t was love ut the first
sight when Dick and Nellie acct
dentally met IN the church on the
mainland. From that time on the
affection grew stronger. They
fondly thought that no one knew
it but themselves. But they were
mistaken, for Mr.. Roche had seen
1t at the very start, and tried by
every means to keep them separ-
ated.
But love will always find a way.
Dick and Nellie put their heads
together one Sunday at church,
and agreed to run away and get
married on the sly. And what was
more fortunate for them was the
fact that the good parson of the
church resided on the island and
was in full sympathy with the young
couple.
The expectant bride was seated
beside her betrothed, near the mid
die of the boat. She was a spright-
ly. beautiful, black-eyed young wo-
man, whose cheeks rivaled the peech
in their color. There was world
of mischief lurking near her pretty
mouth. But, to-day, her cheeks
were pale with apprehension and
her smiles were sad.
The expectant groom was stall
wart and resolute young man. His
mouth was concealed from view by
very heavy mustache. And as he
sat in the boat he looked straight
ahead.