Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-01-30

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nature, to have opened his heart to
the influences Of kindness and gen
tlenes-to have made him, in short,
more loveable. Such appeared the
best Interpretation of the change
that was wrought in him. and which
showed itself conspieuously in his
conduct to the afflicted ones around
him. Kindly and thoughtfully did
he console the anguish Of his par
ents, and with innnmerable offices
Of delicate care and thoughtful con-
sideration did he show his respect
and sympathy for Cissly's afiiiction.
BY no intrusive efforts at comfort
ing, but silently and gently did be
seek to wean his cousin from the re-
membrance of her bereavement.
BY sparing her feelings IN every
possible way, by avoiding the men
tion of Lambsrt's name, save in q
manner calculated to awaken those
tender memories which are the
softeners of grief, he strove to di-
vert Cicely's mind from dwelling
too constantly on her dead be-
trothed; and thus, without appear
ing to drive away the impression,
he gradually supplied her with
other objects and pursuits; and
though at first her walks were al
ways to the scenes he had loved.
and her mornings spent over the
books he had read, their beauties
were soon explored with other in
terests than those which arose mere
ly from the pleasures of remem-
brance. The chapel which had been
wont to recall Lambert most pain
fully to her mind was now unen-
tered.
The dell of lindens, through the
bright leaves Of which the sun beams
had so often poured upon his open
beck, was now unfrequented. With
none of the ardor of first love, but
with a regard originating in their
mutual sharing of the same grief,
and naE.gTsa ez grs.isgds !isaS as5Sihlaz fer hiz
Maurice for her lover; then, in
obedience to the earnest wish of
those whom she had always rever-
enced as parents, consented to be
his wife. It had ever been the fer
vent hope of Sir Lambert that he
might live to see the wealth of his
family restored before he died. The
plan for the accomplishment OF this
wish of a life had been once fatally
disappointed. 1t was natural, then,
that he should rejoice in this new
prospect Of its realization. Lady
Evrard also was desirous that the
stain the baronet had brought on
the family escutcheon by his mar
riage with her should be blotted
out. Sir Lambert was kind hus-
band in the main, but his wife's
penetration could not help perceiv-
ing that he often inwardly sighed
for the society of his aristocratic
neighbors, when his inability to
return their hospitality made him
refuse their invitations. She had
another inducement. Her mothers
eye had observed with pleasure what
seemed to her the beneficial in
fluence of adversity upon her way
ward sons character, and she hoped
the gentleness of his cousin would
complete his reformation. All
seemed to favor the alliance. The
day was fixed; and Cicely Clayton,
in a strange mood of alternating
doubt and hope, arrayed herself for
her bridal. The hour had come.
The wedding party were assembled
in the chapel. Few had been in
vited, for it had been the express
wish of the bride that the rite should
be celebrated as privately as posi-
BILE. Two bridemaids, daughters OF
a neighboring gentleman, Lord r.,
a friend Of the late Lambert, and
the family lawyer were the only
hidden guests. They approached
the communion rails. The ruby
tinged sunbeams streamed through
the graceful trefoil on the white
robed Cicely and on the trembling
Maurice. There was need Of some
thing to lend glow to his haggard
face, for be was CHASTITY pale. Nc
artists tint was half so radiant al
the rising blush upon her cheek
The minister had commenced the
service; the address had been read
the irrevocable "I will" had beer
uttered in a stifled whisper By tn,