Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-01-23

dOx. of this village.
care yon ready, Inez 20
Inez Raiston languidly raised he
golden head to the dark handsom'
face bent tenderly upon her.
| Ready she echoed little ab
sently; ready for what. Claude /?
For our dance, surely you hav,
saved this for me- he said in an az
grieved tone, for it seemed as IL sh,
had strictly withheld theuffrom hiu
tonight.
No. she answered indifferently
4 have given it to Mr.. Clayton
Yet you promised it to me. Oh
lnez, what does this all mean p
Il hardly understand the gir
said haughtily, pray explain your
sci p
1t is this, Inez, ] must know the
meaning IF Ralph Clayton's atten-
ton to you. He Is like your shad
ow, following you from room to
room, dancing with you. seeming
only to find happiness at your side.
Child, / do not blame him, he could
not be q man and know you with
out loving you, but you, you seem
to encourage his attention, yet you
promised to be my wife
She had risen from her chair, and
stood proudly before him like some
queen in her regal loveliness. Her
pale satin robes falling in statu-
esque folds about her, the diamonds
cleaning and sparkling upon her
breast, but the glittering light of
the eyes she turned on him seemed
to burn his very soul. She stood
for few moments, il dazed by his
words. She, the pette1 idol of So
ciety, had never been thwarted, ner
whims had been yielded to, her wish
had been law, she had reigned queen
so long that she felt this homage to
be her right. Men had knelt at
her feet, and pleaded for smile
from her lips. but Claude Livings-
ton was the first who ever in the
mildest way had dared question her
actions.
Enough she cried, waving her
hand imperI"usly. Il have broken
one engagement with you. l will
break another. You said | prom
ised to be your wife, l promise that
no longer
She drew off the glittering dia-
mond hoop and held it out to him.
'Inez. my darling. you do mean
it? Take back your words
Il have Spoken she said. 'and
never retract.'
'There is one thing I must snow
Do you not care more for Ralpf
Clayton than you do for me?'
The girl was thoroughly roused
now, her breath coming i'm hard
quick gasps. her blue eyes were
growing black in their unwonted
brilliancy.
Yes she whispered hoarsely
but her face grew white as she saiC
the word. and in the silence thai
followed she turned to leave him
'Inez.' He laid OBTAINING hanG
upon her. Il will not take my free
dom yet; you are angered and know
not what you are saying; but be
fore l 60 tonight. give me wore
or sign, to tell me that you recall
your words, for cannot live with
out you, my darling
| She shook his touch of impa
tiently, and turning swept haughti
ly away. A moment Ralph Clay
toms voice in addressing her fosteG
back to him.
Il have found you at last, my
QUEEN he said. i have been look
ing so long, and the room grew DARK
without you
He did not hear her answer. bu,
her merry laugh echoed through tn,
room.
Claude Livingston stood ther,
many minutes thinking of what hac
happened. 1t 10 a dream, it mus
be, lnez could never have SAID suct
words to me. All !! bnt ! will wiz
her yet he cried in voice that
startled himself. Il will follow hel
as he has aud win n smile that vii
dispel those terrible words But
when he went in search Of her, h,
found Ralph Clayton at her side. ant
turned sway with q little wearinesI
in his step and look in bis eye
that had never been there before.