Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-02-02

the past. There was q whitenine
of the abundant hair at the tem-
pies, thinning Of the cheeks, and o
slightly perceptible stoop of the stall
~art frame. He was only Eve and
forty. IL seemed to her that he had
aged With unnecessary rapidity.
i called to inquire after the boy,
Mills. said ne. without offrIing his
hand. Doubtless no wished to save
himself from rebuff.
He met with no harm. How can
thank ron enough. General p ar,-
sNoutz : ilsssd slill1s. fore~tzi1
herself Tor the moment. and extend
ing both hands toward her visitor.
Then she suddenly bethouRht her
self, and Withdrew her hands az
swiftly as she had advanced them.
His clear gaze rufii-d her. and she
looked aside. dumb and confused.
Il assure you, Mrs. Lordin, | am
amply repaid for the little inconve-
niece the affair caused me by learn
ing of the boys escape from inju-
~, said the general, his gaze lin
gering on the fair face of the we-
man hungrily.
An awkward silence followed.
The drawing room contained no
other occupants save these two.
Had they been friendly the hour
and place was every way calculated
for delightful tete-a tete.
Il wish might repay you in some
way, general. Reggie is my all;
had the fstes been unkind aud per-
mitted him to drown should have
been in despair
is that all you have to say to
me, Mills? p
She bowed celdly. He regarded
that pale. naughty face one mo-
ment, and a great agony rushed
over his soul. He trembled through
out his stalwart frame; one moment
thus, then he walked to the door;
on the threshold be paused unin-
tentionally.
Il got away from nurse and come
to-see you, gen'raI,' cried q shriil.
childish voice. Two small hands
clutched the wrist of Dsrtmouth.
and tried to draw him back into the
room. See, mammals cryin', won't
you say somen to her. please ?
The general, taken by surprise.
faced about and caught sight of
Mrs. Lordin with her handkerchief
t. her eyes. The sight seemed to
move him strangely. He suffered
Reggie to draw him across the car
pet toward his mother.
Mamma. don't cry; the gen'ral
wants to speak to you. Tell her
not to cry, gen'ral. Her Reggie
amt drowned. Tell mamma how
you did it. please. Mr.. Central
The child's voice had a pleading
ring, and its very sound seemed to
Effect the soldier deeply. He sud.
denly lifted the boy in his arms and
pressed him closely to him, imprint
ing q kiss on the smooth. soft cheek.
Aad Reggie flung both arms
about the generals neck and kissed
him in turn, seeming pleased at the
faiendliness of the man whose name
was in everybody's mouth. since be
he had recently received his party's
nomination to Congress.
Reggie cried his mother. ego
back to nurse q. once, you naughty
boy =
The naughty boy looked appeal
ingly al his champion. The gene
raj stood irresolufe, regarding him
with alonging expression.
He is our boy, M,liis.' be said,
and then started and trem bled at
the sound of his own voice.
He seemed to realize that be had
venturel on dangerous grond, aud
in this he was not mistaken. She
turned upon him with the menace
of an aroused tigress.
Not, yours. but mine, George
Dartmouth ! cried she. hotly, cs.
rrssing the blond curls that lay
clustered like spun gold against her
skirts. think you | would per-
init him to bear Jour name after the
act of his father made him an or
phsn, in part, at least ! From that
hour. three years ago, be has been
Lordin, and the name Of Dart
mouth has not been mentioned TO
him. He knows you not; his faith
er died years ago. and this boy will
navar knou him aa he resflv waa