Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-04-05
HER BIRTHDAY.

There had been a heavy frost ia
the night, and when the sunlight
fell athwart the old chestnut, lakes
OF gold drifted through the crisp
air as the leaves relaxed their sum,
mer hold and rostled to their vim
ter sleep. But Rhoda gazed at the
pretty sight with unseeing eyes and
frowning brow, her heart untuned
to the mornings gladness
The cuckoo Ia che dinia,w-
clock thrust out his head aud
chirped the half hour, then his
little door closed smartly. Rhoda
glanced up impatiently. Half
past seven aud papa will have to
hurry bis breakfast. As for Sibyl,
suppose she is just bestirring her,
self. Everything goes wrong since
mamma left us 7 Tier lip auiyerea
aud tears stood in her eyes. She
would have remem bered that this
is my birthday, but nobody else
will A pang Of self.pity made
the tears overflow.
They can't even be 90 tims for
breakfast by way Of q celebration
she murmured, her irritation grow
ing apace. Just then her fathers
cherry voice was heard in the hall
and Rhoda made haste to oouceal
her tears. half ashamed Of her NOR
bid mood. II her eyes we're sus.
pioiously red, Mr.. Vinton appar-
emily failed 70 notice it.
What, waiting for Jour snail Of
father" be cried. 'Oh, see |
am trille late, as his eyes follog.
ed Rboda's repsoaohfnl glance at
the clock. we won't wait for
Sibyl.
Rhoda presided over the coffee
pot in diguiGed silence. No, Ter
father certainly had no remem-
brance that this vas one az the
special days that her mother was
wont to celebrate, her elder dlnieh.
terra birthday. Oh. bow many
sweet obscrvanccs would pass with
her mother Rboaa ratified the
cups TO hide the little sob that ca.
capped her control No. the others
must not pass there, too. abe must
atriye 20 Oh her mothers place.
Mr. Nintop, With word Of apol.
ogy, had taken refuge from the Sc
we're ailenoe IN the morning paper,
glanoing at the headlines "a BE
hurried his meal However, be
heard the sob and cast O keen
glance ever the top Of the paper AZ
Rhoda's dowBcast face. Poor lit
tie woman he thought topderly
I how she tries to I'LL her mothers
place Bat il is too heavy a bur
/ den for young shoulders She is
feeling the strain 10 more ways
than one
il there peace in this humble
DWELLING cried q gay voice out
side the door, aud a bright eye
lwinkled mischieyously at the
crack DO forgive me, dear people,
but quite forgot the passage Of
time. put nv head out Of the
window TO say good morning to
the glorious day, aud tho shower Of
falling leaves held me spellbound.
Rhoda did not design to look
that way. A perverse spirit had
taken possession Of the girl.
'You must make haste, now,
she said, severely But. as Sibyl
lluttered by her on her way to her
seat, something caught Rhoda's
unvilling eye.
Now, Sibyl, she said, in disap-
proving surprise, why have you
put on your new gown ? 1t is not
intended for ordinary school wear.
Oh, dear, ! wish you would show
some sense Of the fitness OF thingsp
Sibyl bit her lip and cast an APP
pealing glance at her father, who,
for moment, looked a triile un-
comfortable.
'0h-er, ! forgot to tell you that
promised Sibyl that che might take
lunch with me in town today he
explained. Il suppose the new
gown is in honor of the occasion.
She has some Grand to do, be.
lieve, 80 she will not come home