Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-08-19

was with misgiving and grief that
old Mrs. Stanton consented to her
granddaughter's Western journey.
Still, what can a woman do when
confronted by mans obstiEacy
Captain Raymond was lonely in
the farsaway garrison, and wanted
the sunshine of bis daughters pres-
ence Bessie must come to FoEt
I.oran.sfs s---sr'sss'l'-'
One bright morning in early Oc-
tober, q little group entered the
Grand Central Depot in New York.
The many bags and wraps indica-
ted that one at least of the party
was about to form an atom in the
great mass of outgoing humanity.
The quaint old lady, so dainty
and thoroughbred looking was Mrs.
Stanton; fearful and nervous, she
had come to the station to see her
darling depart on a journey which
she was pleased to term can open
defiance of Providence. The tall,
military figure at her side inspired
no confidence in Mrs. Stanton's
mind.
Captain Gray might be a SUIT.
able escort, but she doubted it. "
Even his white hair and Scared
face, the record of an Indian VIC
tory, might prove only factors in
the inscrutable makeup Of girls
fancy. 1t was only when she learned
that the captain had come East to
attend the christening of his third
grandchild, and that his wife, in
the best of health, awaited his ar
rival at Fort Logan, that Mrs.
Stanton thawed in the least for her
arctic severity Of tone and manner.
Susan, the maid who was present
to add her tears to those of her
mistress, clutched tightly her part
ing gift to Miss Bessie. Flowers
and fruit were well enough in their
way. hnt fhe had chosen something
more practical. When the last mo-
ment came, and, sobbing. she took
her pretty nursling in her arms for
a goodbye kiss, she thrust parcel
in her hand, saying brokenly:
'Your grandma's there's
something from me, too. Oh, my
lamb, | hope it won't be needed !;
but, fitis, think ofSusan." Chok-
ing sobs rendered the close of the
sentence inaudible.
Almost as soon as the train was
beyond the city limits, Bessie, with
true girlish curiosity. opened the
mysterious package. A rapturous
cry greeted the appearance of q
jeweler box. On its bed Of pale
blue satin shone the desire of her
heart-a string Of gold beads.
1t did not require the few loving
words written on the card which
lay above the beads, to assure her
that the dear grandmother was the
donor. But there ives something
besides-Susan's gift, which was
next opened.
Chow characteristic" cried Bes-
sic, merrily; and Captain Gray
chuckled appreciatively, as the con-
tents of neat linen bag were
brought to light by the young girls
invading fingers.
ga menthol pencil, court plaster
smelling-salts, a bit of old linen
and bottle Of Ponds Extract, ="
the captain enumerated, admiring-
ly. "Fine woman, that, to have
on scout; she evidently prepares
for the worst"
The laugh which followed ban
ished the gathering cloud of home
sickness from Miss Bessie's mind
and inaugurated q friendship be-
tween her and her fathers friend
which has lasted to this day.
Amore charming companion than
Captain Gray could not be imagin-
ed. Bessie felt as If she were liv-
ing in some warlike past, as she lis
tened to thrilling stories of adven-
ture on the plains and pathetic yet
amusing accounts of the early days
on the far Western frontier.
Already she regretted that her
life, since her mothers death, had
been passed in prosaic New York.
81 suppose" she said, regretful.
ly. "that the good times are all ov.
er, and that shall be too late foi
any adventures. Everything is SC
uncomfortably civilized nowadays ?
| Swiftly the time flew by, till on
Thursday morning the end of theil
railway journey was reached. They