Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-03-30


fowner of it, =
A smothered exclamation escap.
ed her as she read the superscrip-
tion. One indignant fash of the
eye she bestowed upon him. then
began to read. When she reached
the end she sprang to her feet. ex !.
claiming
.How dare ron ask me to red
The he7ekr - e.n lesssr
u rot that your letter.
You know it 10 not! You wrote
this yourself. Now give me mine.
Miss Weston = He had actually
given ber the advertisement he had
written. .I-really, it was mis-
take, believe me. thought I
handed you the letter you lad
written. | fished il out of the
water this afternoon, and inst for
the joke Of the thing answered it.
| had no idea you wrote it. Here
it 10. Will you forgive me?'
There 10 nothing to forgive only
| shall be glad If you will keep :il.
ent IN reference TO this matter
1t shall be a secret between Won
and me. Bat wish you would
tell me Why you wrote such an ex-
traordinary document.
She col"red, then said frankly
'lt is rather extraordinary, | ad-
init, Mr.. Elmoit, aud perhaps it is
only fair that | should tell you all
about it. ! do wan. sweetheart,
aad for just two weeks. during
which time Harold Lsmsnt and his
betrothed. Vera Morton, will be
guests at the hotel
'Miss Morton?' Basil repeated, !,
with start. DO you know her:'
Il know of her--she succeeded
me in the affections of Mr.. Lamar.
! am Tilted maiden. Mr.. Elmot,.
Do you begin 90 understand the
situation / have not met Harold
for two years. | don't want him
TO think | am wearing the willow
for him. therefore do want tenn
porary sweetheart. That 10 WHY,
having nothing cetter-to do, |
wrote that foolish scrawl, intending,
Of course, to destroy it immediate
ly.'
Are you not afraid to meet the
rascal again? DO you love him
still?' ii
Don't you, can't you compre-
bend? ! have a perfect contempt
for him. But would like to show
him that some one appreciates me
il he di i not think ! am pining for
him.
Il understand YOU nov. also
have q confession to make and debt
to paw, for Vera Morton was once
engaged to me. and threw me over.
Now suppose me make q bargain.
you and I. Why can we not make
ourselves useful to each other by
playing that We are sweethearts
while the two are here?'
Are you sure it would not be q
tax upon you 2 she doubtfully said.
Quite sure.' Basil cheerfully re-
sponded. In fact, ! shall rather
like it. Up to this time you haven t
treated me at all well; it is time for
you to make amends.
Il have no faith in men, she
murmured. Il thought you merely
desired flirtstion, and so'-
'Yon have no objection to me
personality
'Oh, no : she quickly responded.
'How could I?'
Then the matter is settled and
you will be my sweetheart!
There is an eager light in his
eyes as he makes the request. and
she thrills at the knowledge that
he loves her. Then she timidIy
says
'You are not asking this in pity,
or because confided in you!'
On my honor, no; I really mean
it,
Then accept vou for my sweet
heart while they are here; but re.
member. ! have no faith in the
vows OF man, and everything say
or do will only be pretence.
We will settle that question laf.
err said Basil, quietly. 'Sse--ths
rain has ceased. shall expect you
to go driving with me to-morros.
and lead the german at night. Per,
nit me to wrap this shawl mare
snuely around you--iad give nns
yonr hand, sweethesrt.'
'Is that necessary? thought
our bargsin began to-morrow