Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-05-04

inc puito8oPneT1s anu would le3d
one TO enjoy even che ills and ails
Of life. |, too, have long ago de-
cided that the trials Of life we're bat
90 many steps mp the ladder lead
ing to heaven; something to be- 70.
warced for, otherwise no reward
Again agree with you with all
my heart said she. bot whilst you
accuse me Of acting the philosopher
you seem better acquainted With
those sages than myself
! %. ron little adept. I was the
first to thros the stone and you
only wanted to return the compli-
zneat said 0ickeau. jaocnly.
The Iaugh went round Che fami-
" circle. Dickens glanced ct the
old family clock and saw that an
hour had passed since his engage
ment in conversation with Rosa
Allen. the one Who had followed
him throughout his gloomy years.
He arose and remarked:
THAT he had been 90 nicely en-
tertained that he had stayed long
er than he expected
Squire Allen pressed him to
lunch with them. but Of no avail.
His busy mind was full and soli.
tude best suited his condition, and
that he we'll knew. Dickens wend-
cd his way homewsrd, absorbed in
deep thought; and Rosa Allen was
no less occupied with her own
thoughts.
Il was about the time that her
annual visit was due her cousin at
. distance, and few days more
found her far from her beautiful
home. In spite Of herself she could
not at times help brooding over the
meeting OF one whose mind seemed
to her in o measure connected with
her own. Then it was that time
began to. swell on both sides, each
bearing their own deep thoughts in
sileuce.
Dickens paid 40 occasional visit
20 the house during her absence,
and it was agreed that he should be-
on hspd ct the reception given on
her return. In the meantime q
dream of the past haunted him day
and night, but his heart thrilled
With joy at the prospect of meeting
her again despite the massive clouds
that seemed to arise between them
and darken his every hope; for
though he was rich in everything
that adorns the human mind he
lacked the means to meet the re-
quired demands for such eseergen
cies, even we're It possible that his
one only hope could be realized.
On beautiful summer eve, when
all nature was gay and the gentle
zephers were playing with the sill
vered locks of Mother Allen as she
stood in the doorway to welcome
her guests, at fitting time appear.
ed Willie Dickens on the threshold.
He was cordially welcomed, and
soon was the little white hand
again clasped, whose touch sent the
warm life blood throbbing through
hIs veins; but be was cool, calm
and deliberate as was his custom,
allowing nothing to disturb him
when about his business.
Before him was the self.same an
gelic expression that mountains
could not Obscure from his con-
slant view. lie gently questioned
her about her visit and carefully
noted oil that was said, including
the tone and manner in which she
spoke.
Among other things, she told
him that life was to her one and
the same thing at home and abroad !;
that il seemed but 9 part Of her life
whenever and wherever God, duty
and work called her.
Dickens could hardly contain him
self to hear such noble and sanity
expressions. Indeed, was his heart
% enrsptured that be felt that her
very presence was Paradise OF it.
self. Her soal-inspiring words
sank deep down in bis heart, and
he felt a. only man could feel in
the presence Of Q supernatural be-
ing. Bot Rosa Allen was still to
manifest further proof Of her res.
ignstion to the will of heaven in
oil things.
Dickens arose from bis seat and
in q manly tone remarked that he
felt himself bound to put in an sp-