Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-06-24

Marcia had recovared Sufficiently
from her surprise % take refug,
now in a quiet dignity. 'sNo
Tom" she said gently, ''you need
have no fear OF my treating you te
the commonplace Of adiscarded
lover. | was thinking' -her voice
faltered-"o Margaret then" Hel
face, too, softened. Il remember
how we have been together, child
with child. youth vi3h youth, and
4 feel.saFe thai sais sthef feeling
of yours will soon pass away and
leave our friendship strong and
loyal as in old days. l am just
back after long absence, you see,
and you aren't used to my being
grown. You look on me as some
other girl. But you sill soon see
that | am your same old comrade,
Marcia, you friend, good tc laugh
and chat, and walk and ride with,
to confide in, TO sympathize with,
but to make love to--never BE
sensible. now do, you dear old bear
Why, in three months you will be
ready to thank me for having shown
you your mistake.
He caught reproachfully at the
suggestion in her last words. "Ah,
how little you know me after all,
to think me so tickle, so false. In
three months, then. so be it; three
months from today shall show
you nv heart all unchanged. and
claim AN answer to my question.
Meanwhile, promise me, dear, you
will try not only to appreciate my
love, but to give me some In return
if ever so little. | can wait. lean
bide my time in patience. You
must see that the boy-and-girl af-
fectioa, good of its kind. could not
last, yet make secure foundation
for this stronger, truer love. Only
try to love me, my Marcia. Give
me-give yourself-time. Only
three little months. Meanwhile
no word, no look shall annoy you.
My love shall still masquerade in
friendships guise." Marcia de-
INJURED. "For old sakes, sake,
dear" he pleaded, and Marcia hes.
itated, then yielded.
"Three months, then," she said.
Even had he so desired. Tom
would have found little opportuni-
ty during the ensuing week to press
his suit. There were many to claim
her as partner in the rides, drives,
dances, and picnics which made
Orville gay in the summer season.
She did not avoid him, but let her.
self be so monopolized 6y Others
and was SO serenely Indifferent to
his tender glances that he wa,
piqued and felt q small desire tc
try pique her in return. The op
portunity he sought seemed at last
to come. A school friend came tc
visit Marcia. She had. of course
been described to Tom with many
charming superlatives.
"She is so beautiful, so gentle
so sweet, said Marcia, "you viii
be sure to like her, and yen mus
help me to make her enjoy her Wis
it. Be sure to call soon and Of
ten."
Tom said to himself 1T first tha
he would do nothing of the sort
then suddenly came plan, pur
pose, none the less strong becaus
SO quickly formed. He would tr.
Marcia by attention to this frien,
of hers. He would see il he coul,
not start a spark OF jealousy, ant
prove that for all her apparent in
difference some fire of love smold
cred I'm her heart. 'Aii's fair IL
love and war;" he exclaimed impa
tiently as conscience warned hin
that this course was neither mani
nor honorable.
/ Mics Arnold came, a doll.face
blonde with appealing eyes an
sweet, confding ways. She adore'
Marcla-srrong, intellectual Marci
with schoolgirls passion, an
Marcia, on her part, gave Annett
tender, protecting love.
Tom found the game of piqu
delightful, although he could nc
make sure whether or not Marci
cared. Indeed, in his enjoymer
of Miss Arnold's society he quit
forgot to watch. He was discor
tented whenever any one else er
gagged Miss Arnold's attention. Il
felt Q grievous lack in any ds