Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-05-20
loves him honestly and trolsg and

fAsFS~ ouHsu- true. SHE ~ out
of his say nov. but could no, an
swer for the effect that such = SEN
aration might have on him.
/ HIM we'll, of course. Lord
Crays son musn't marry a girl in
trade, although Lord GRAY himself
does sell his game and fruit and
possesses wharf on Regent canal
said the uobleman. Yet YOU say
she's lady: Where ia she Can
tain Smith ?
| with ber father in the country
I replied the ofiicer.
| 'Who i he What i lie = asked
Lord Cray.
He is Clergyman. the rector Of
a poor parish with a large family to
bring up upon a very insufficient
income, so that he has been Obliged
to send his daughter out to get her
own living IN the world, replied
old Smith.
The great man rose from his
chair, and paced up aud down the
room for some moments in deep
thought. At last he stopped short
and said
Captain Smith get the girl out
, of the millinery business as soon as
you can. or course I'm saving
this on the supposition that You are
so far acquainted with her as 10 be
able to do it. II money is needed.
write me line here, and let the
young rascal pursuc his suit. Il
don't know how TO thank YOU for
the trouble you've taken in the
matter. as, IN the absence Of the I
information yon have given. 4
should have assure lly treated the
clandestine uniOn Of my son with
milliner's girl with the greatest se /:
verify !:
Then | may tell your son, ms !;
lord, that-that
The sooner he gets married ,hea
better, said Lord Cray.
Old Smith took his leave with n
beaming face, and arrived at Fill
stone in timesfor mess.
The Hon. Bob Topsham was
there, and glared nnutterably
things at his brother officer during:
the repast. Indeed, old Smith
could not help being conscious that
he was an object of general Interest,"
and from the fact that conversatior.
at the table was more subdned than
usual, although it was guest nights
ne opined that during his brief NIB.
sence a storm bad been gathering.
which would presently burst upon.
his head.
Immediately after dinner, SmithI
as was his custom, rose and left the
room without taking wine. Bob
Topsham also arose and followed.
him, and, when he got outside the
door, said In voice almost mar
ticulate with anger Smith, are
you going to apologize to me for
your behavior p
'HullO, exclaimed Smith. laugh
ing that's rather good sub Of
three years standing to MAX. al
cool request like that to a man ffty
years his senior.
| don't care il von are fifty ..ss
my senior, retorted the young OF
ficer, You've behaved in "a 49,
Stop, stop, cried old Sni.ts,
don't go too far. Let me have
word. Come to my room.
Directly the door was closed be-
hind them, old Smith, without any
preface, said
Are you still in love with Oracle
Clough?'
'0f course am. replied Bob in
amazement. But what's the use,
now you've bolted with her: You've
taken a mean advantage Of a fell
low. You've behaved like "a
Steady, boy, steady, interrupted
old Smith, laying his hand gently
on the shoulder Of the excited
youngster. Its true Pv,, taken
her away, but | did so only in order
TO do you good turn. You're
quite sure yon love Oracle enough
to make her good husband 2
why, OF course do, replied
Bob looking inquiringly into ,he
the face Of the elder officer Bnt
say. Smith. what does all this
mean : What have you been do
ing:'
We'll, I've got your fathers con-
sent TO yOur marriage with her.
that's all. replied old Smith.
You have, gasped Bob Top.
sham. DO you mean to say that
you have given her up TO me? You,
who loved her as much as | did.
You, whom I've been slanging right
and left for doing what I thought
was q mean action. Where is
Gracie:'
at her father's-at nv fathers
house replied Smith.
Her fathers and your father .,
repeated the thoroughly astounded
Bob. why Is she your sister,
Yes. she is my sister, replied
old Smith.
Ny father is a poor country par
son. He couldn't afford to keep
Oracle at home. She shuddered at
the notion Of going out So Cover.
ness; 90 she assumed another name
and went into the millinery busi.
ness. | didn't want the whole reg
| iment TO know thzt | had a sister