Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-12-23
Saint NafgIs Beacon.
THROUGH THE SNOW.


then be regrets his folly Of having
sighted the kindly invitation of
Mr. Fielding's house. But Gray 10
q proud man, he has had the birth
and education Of s gentleman, and
he cannot 60 fawning anywhere,
unlimited, like beggar.
At last, hopeless Of regaining the
track, thoroughly spent, and grow.
ing drowsy, he sits down on crsg;
the storm whirling round him aud
freezing his blood. Then he closes
his eyes, lost in that dreamy eu-
thanasia which precedes death from
cold.
From this he 10 aroused By some
thing warm and wet touching his
hand-something lying heavy on
his knee. Reluctantly-almost with
difficulty-he asserts sufficient will
and vol;tion to open his eyes; and
then he sees q shepherds dog rests
its paws upon his knees and licks
his hands. At the same moment q
loud holloa is heard. With still
more diifcGlty than he has opened
his eyes, he makes faint reply, for
he 10 conscious that the rescue is
ut hand. 1t is scarcely uttered be-
fore shepherd casts back the blind
ing snow and stands beside him.
IL you please, sir, you must come
with as. AS soon as he heard Of
the matter, Nr. Fielding sent me
and another of, with q horse and
dogs, on the moor after you; for ne
one, he knew, could live out such
n night.
But Gray could only family
speak. So the shepherds assist
ant now coming up with the horse,
they place him on it. give him some
whiskey they have with them, and
one mounting behind, SO as to hold
the benumbed gentleman, the other
leads the way back to Graystones.
But the way is hard to fluid, the
snow 80 blinds and battles them, so
lies in monstrous drifts, and the
cold is so benumbing; yet through
this desolate waste they get at last,
and by s o'clock reach the Hall.
There, in the wide porch, whole
group Of sympathizing friends well
come the poor gentleman. He can
not talk much. but he replies to
the pressure OF their warm and kind.
ly words.
There, take my arm and lean on
me- says the same gentleman fol-
whom Gray opened the gate of the
little lonely battle-ground this very
morn; you have twice served me
today, once in manner irrepaya'
BILE; so let me serve in turn.'
Thus, saying, Gray is led up
stairs to q chamber, where q warm
bath and dry clothes await him.
Cherished and refreshed he lies
down on a sofa, and has soup and
wine and other restoratives. These
taken he sinks into q sleep. When
he awakes it is ten o'clock or more
yet he finds Mr.. Fielding seated
beside him.
God ever love and bless You, sir,
he says, taking Gray's hand; 'fol
30 you l owe the life of my price.
less boy. / can never repay you,
for they have told me all-your
bravery, your goodness--everything.
But you must not leave us, Mr..
Gray, not for long time. It was
| who advertised in the last Leeds
newspapers; for my boys want q
master, and You were the one
thought of, and should have liked
but / did not know you were leav.
ing that mean, pompous, shallow
hypocrite. Tubbs. Make your mind
happy, sir; you have a home here;
tomorrow we will talk of money
affairs; but be sure. even when your
Office ends, You shall lind me sim
eere friend. Now, do you think
you are strong enough to come down
and see the Christmas tree, and Sir
Roger de Coverly danced. Mrs.
Fielding and all my people want to
thank you too
Oh yes, he is strong enough
for shall he not see the pretty Ma
rianna, the idol Of his dreams
So they 60 down armand arm to-
gether. and Mrs. Fielding and all
the guests are earnest and warm in
saving grateful aud kindly words;
and there is Mariana, a little trem-
ulous and timid; and still more so