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

union with pr0vtux[ shop girl SO
be was made the sa*Iect Of innn.
merable witticisms ent the new
rival who had gndd Is .appeared
in the field. rhe razIlt vas that a
coolness sprung up between him
and old Smith thos<h they had
hitherto been on tIle kest Of terms
with each other. and ] became very
evident to the ON -los tefs. who hail
ed wiih aeaiahs -. sasseh
promised to vary the monotony Of
barrack life in quiet old country
town, that the affair would soon
assume a serious aspect.
The climax came In due course.
Bob Topsham had seen Oracle and
the following conversation had en-
sued between them:
Il say, Gracie,' said the Honora-
Bob, Il wish you'd put me ont of
my misery, and tell me plainly and
honestly how matters stand between
US. You've often said you cared
for me more than you do for any
other fellow. I've sworn To you
that | could never love another girl,
and yet | have found out that not
only are you in the habit of meet
ing old Smith of ours; but that
you treat him quite like favored
lover; in fact you do with him
what you have never done with me
you go out walking with him
and | can't help thinking that you
are playing double game
The girl seemed very much de-
iected at these accusations, and at
length hesitatingly replied
well. Bob, I'm sorry that you
have so very poor IN opinion of me.
I've told you that | love you, and
it is not likely that | would say
such thing and at the same time
be carrying on-as you term it
with another man. But / think
nsisat our astaehmen y -xftogeshes
an unfortunate affair. | know
have done wrong in encouraging
you. but have not been able to
help it because | have not been able
to help loving you. Don't you
think that we had better not meet
any more, and try to forget all that
has passed between us p
The young officer stared in amaze
ment, and with all the impetuosity
of youth exclaimed why, Grace.
you don't mean that you are going
to throw me over like this p
No, Bob, | don't want to do
anything of the Sort replied the
girl, but | am anxious to act for
your good--for the good of both of
us-really, truly and honestly do.
Please don't accuse me of any 9TH
er motive. Just think of your po-
sition. On one side you, heir to
great name, your father rich,
man. On the other side, /, a mil
liners shop girl. What would your
father say, what would the world
say, if you were to make me your
wife p
What do | care what the world
or the governor would say ex-
claimed her lover. Il am of age.
My father has no influence over me
only to cut me out of his will
You're lady, | know that, Oracle,
although you're in a shop, and
there's no shame in that. BY Jove,
you've got only to look over the d.
rectory to see how the swells are
going in fof commerce and even for
trade. For Gods sake, then, Gra-
Gle, don't send me way. Until /
knew you, | wsrn't up to much
good, although | don't mean shat l
was a blackguard. But, since I've
known you, I've changed, and |
would make you just as good a hus-
band as any of the fellows who
come with written characters in
their pockets
Yes, Bob, | believe all that,
answered the girl. But shouldn't
be happy, even if ] was your wife,
il / was scorned by your people,
and pointed out as a cunning
schemer who had put you in po-
sition out of which you could not
extricate yourself, and saw you left
alone by all your relations and
friends because You had married .
girl out of a bonnet-shop.'
Wed keep out Of their way
Oracle said the young man. Go
and live quietly somewhere
But you can't get ont of the way
of vour brother officers said the