Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-02-15
THE EscAPE

November, woman enyeloped in
weather beaten plaid oloak, was
seen hurryrng along the sidewalk
of fashionable street in one Of the
Atlantic cities. Once she ascend
ed the doorsteps Of asplendid man
sion and was about to pull the bell,
when a sudden burst Of u6rriment
within seemed to aeta er. and
slwsagaiii RESUMED her doafs6 with
an air more hastg and timid than
before. Having passed dozen or
more houses she paused in front OF
one that. compared with the others,
wore quiet, secluded air. After
some hesitation she ventured to
ring the bell. The door was open
ed by a servant of whom she in
quired il abe could see the mistress
Of the house.
Il will see, be replied
In few moments he reappeared,
and conducted her into psrlor,
elegantly though not SLOWLY fur.
nished. The inmates were a mid
die aged lady. Of pale though not
sicklY countenance, somewhat pre-
else in dress and manners aud
young man who sat by the table,
reading.
4 am very anxious said the
woman, approaching the lady, 'to
obtain employment 10 some family
for few months--are yon willing
to furnish me with some"
What kind Of employment would
you like? inquired the lady.
i should prefer needle work,
either plain or ornamental. but am
willing to undertake any labor
whatever, that ] can perform to
your satisfaction.
Well, eit down and we will talk
more about IL; but hrst tell me
your name aud il you have a recon-
meudation from your last employer.
Ny name, she replied heaitat..
ing a little, 'is Mary MARI LeFls-
ton
And the name Of the family
where you last resided =
Pardon me, madam, bat ! can
not tell.
She was evidently much agitatoJ
as she replied, and forgetful of the
I faded cloak that concealed her form,
il slipped from one shoulder. aud
revealed a rich white satin dress.
trimmed with blonde, aud On Gle.
CANT pearl lace. The lady now OBJ
served for the first time that she
was very beautiful. discovery the
young man had made already, al.
though 1t the time Of her entrance
he was in the midst Of deeply in
teresting article oa political econo
my. TIE lady put on a look Of
severity, and fixing her eyes on the
necklace, told her she could give
no employment to a person who
found means to obtain expensive
ornaments.
oh, don't turn me away, said
the girl, bursting into tears, and
wringing hor hands in the greatest
distress and agitation. If you DO,
! | don't know what will become Of
me.
The young man now hastily threw
aside his book and approaching the
! lady SAID IN low voice
Aunt Leonard, beg to speak
few words to you in private
Mrs Leonard rose and passing
through the folding doors, to dis
lance that conversation carried on
in an undertonee could not be heard
by her visitor, although feeling
some anxiety relative to gold
watch that hung over the mantel,
she could keep her eye on her.
/ well, Percy said she to her
nephew who had followed her close.
ly, what have You to say that is Of
a nature 80 private p
Simply that | so wish you would
take this young girl on trial. /
know what your impression is, but
I if | ever saw innocence dipicted in
a human countenance, ] see it in
hers. Artifice may have lured her
into the hands Of vice, and if she
has made her escape, turn her not
! a,ay from vour dOnr aud nnv, al