Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-12-30
Saint Har5's Beacon.
THROUGH THE SNOW.


then he regrets his folly Of having
sighted the kindly invitation OF
Mr. Flelding's house. But Gray 10
y proud man, he has had the birth
and education Of . gentleman, and
he cannot 90 fawning anywhere,
unlimited, like q beggar.
At last, hopeless of regsining the
track, thoroughly spent, and grow
ing drowsy, he sits down on acrag;
the storm whirling round him and
freezing his blood. Then he closes
his eyes, lost in that dreamy eu-
thanasia which precedes death from
cold.
From this he is aroused By some
thing warm and vet touching bis
hand-something lying heavy on
his knee. Reluctantly--almost with
difficulty--he asserts sufficient will
and volition to open his eyes; and
then he sees q shepherds dog rests
its paws upon his knees and ticks
his hands. At the same moment
loud holloa is heard. With still
more difficulty. than he has opened
his eyes, he makes faint reply, for
he is conscious that the rescue is
at hand. IL 10 scarcely uttered be-
fore a shepherd casts back the blind
ing snow and stands beeide him.
III you please, sir, you must come
with us. AS soon as he heard OF
the matter, Nr. Fielding sent me
and another of, with horse and
dogs, on the moor after you; for no
one, he knew, could live out such
q 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 find, the
snow SO 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 o'clock reach the Hall.
There, in the wide porch, q whole
group of sympathizing friends vel
come the poor gentleman. He can
not talk much. bat he replies to
the pressure Of their warm and kind.
Iy words.
There, take my arm and lean on
me- says the same gentleman for
whom Gray opened the gate of the
little lonely battle-ground this very
morn: you have twice served me
today, once in q manner irrepaya-
BILE; 80 let me serve in tnrn.'
Thus, saying, Gray is led mp
stairs to chamber, where a warm
bath and dry clothes await him.
Cherished and refreshed he lies
down on q sofa, and has soup and
wine and other restoratives. These
taken he sinks into 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; sfor
to you owe the life Of my price
less boy. l can never repay you.
for they have told me all-your
bravery, your goodness everything.
But you must not leave as, Mr..
Gray, not for long time. It was
l 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 l did not know you were leav.
ing that mean, pompous, shallow
hypocrite. Tubbs. Make your mind
happy, sir; you have q home here;
tomorrow we will talk Of money
affairs; but be sure, even when your
Office ends, you shall find me o sim
cere 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 10 strong enough;
for shall he not see the pretty Ma
rianna, the idol Of his dreams
So they 60 down arm. and-arm to-
gether. and Mrs. Fielding and all
the guests are earnest and warm in
saving grateful and kindly words;
and there is Mariana, a little trem-
ulous and timid; and still more so
when Gray gives her of the Christ