Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-04-25

er when they got to town.
Mrs. Warburton did not attempt
to conceal her contempt for her
pretty niece's present surroundings,
laughed aloud at the little trunk
which contained all Lois available
possessions, and confidentially in
formed her as soon as soon as they
were at safe distance from the
farm house that the Wsrburtons
were quite different set from the
Motifs.
Lois stood not little in awe Of
her grand and decidedly handsome
city aunt ; sdmiringly in awe, that
is. She was secretly in ecstasy ct
the prospect Of the grandeur she
was going to, but she was very fond
of Uncle and Aunt Mott too, and
her eyes filed with tears as she re-
membered how sorrowful they had
felt at her going, and how pitifully
her Aunt Mott had said to her Aunt
Warburton
You'll teach her to feel above
country folks, / calculate, Salome ?
Mrs. Warburton had laughed and
responded with o courteous mega
tive but 80 indifferently spoken
that if she had dared, Lois would
have flung her arms about her
Aunt Motifs neck in addition to
exclaiming with suppressed indig-
nation. she never, never conld feel
above anybody she loved !
The city was like fairy land to
Lois.
The education her aunt had talk
ed so much about proved scarcely
what is generally understood. BY
the time Lois had teacher in mu-
sic, and one in dancing. For the
rest she had a hsir-dresser and man
tua-maker, who did their best to
disfigure that wildrose prettiness of
hers and only partially succeeded.
Simple Lois was romantic.
Very soon upon her coming to
the city she had met her hero and
duly shrined him in her waiting
heart. 1t was one day when she
had been out shopping with her
aunt. The horses had started just
as she was entering the carriage,
and she would have fallen but for
the swift and strong arm of a gen:
tleman who was passing. She was
conscious at the moment only of
an overpowering confusion and a
pair of beaming dark eyes. Her
aunt thanked him for her, and she
scarcely daring to lift her eyes yet,
became somehow aware that he was
tall and distinguished looking and
had beautiful smile.
1T must be love at first sight,
sighed Lois, as she dropped her
head upon the pillow that night
and fell away into happy dreams.
After that, she saw him afar Of
ten, when she was out with. her
aunt in the day time, and she knew
by his glance in her direction that
he remembered her. That was food
enough for her romantic heart for
a time.
But she never met him at any of
the festivities which she and her
aunt frequented night after night,
till even Lois fresh young eyes
showed signs Of WEAKNESS and she
began to think balls and parties
were not the height Of felicity after
all.
One dag she had left her aunt at
Madame's ordering q dress and
gone, at her desire, and upon an
indispensable errand to another
street. 1t was 50 near she had not
taken the carriage, and returning
in sort of trance at having met
her hero squarely, and involunta-
rily given him blushing little nod
OF recognition, she took O wrong
direction, and before she knew it.
walking as in dream, she found
herself involved in one of those
street crowds which, in New York,
swarm like magic at the slightest
excuse.
Then she suddenly discovered
where she was, but before she had
time to be frightened, scarcely to
be bewlldered by the loud talking
and rough iostling about her. q
voice at her side said
Please take my arm. | think
you must have lost your way And
there was her hero again.
lie smiled at her surprise and
confusion.