Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-08-23
UPON 4 TOWER.


time he had planned. A gray light
colored dimly the flowers of bis
chamber cnrtains. He opened the
window. The beautiful Norman
country beneath it was still sleep
ing. The trees and the dark-green
fields looked almost a. though they
were cast in marble. Toward the
east light rose-color vas just be-
ginning - thread the SKY u.
d'Herble recalled, with sweet
thrill Of remembrance, that he was
to meet one dear to him, at an ear
ly rendezvous.
La five Minutes be was dressed.
He descended to the garden, where
his great Russian greyhound well
coined him with loud barking and
joyful bounds.
"Be quiet, Tiger !" he began,
but ct last failing to quiet him, he
said, "Come then 70 and the hound
shot like an arrow. through the
half-opened gate along the familiar
road. leaping across the vines till
he reached the last cottage of the
hamlet, where dwelt Mr.. and Mrs.
Simons, rich New Yorkers, and
their daughter, Miss Edel.
"Will she have awakened ?" AK
ed NJ. d'Herble Of himself. sis
not this an engagement of her own
seeking? Yet can 1t be true that
she will come down from her cham
ber and confide herself to my care,
in order that she may assist the sun
to rise from the top OF the Alaspret
Tower p'
For three months he had been
flirting with Miss Edel, first in
Paris, afterward in the country,
where he had persuaded the Sim
ons family TO pass the summer, In
the hope that there he should have
fewer rivals than in the city. No
one knew how desperately he loved
her, but he was inssnely jealous.
Rich, noble, and full Of fine quail
ties, he felt sure of pleasing her
parents. But would she consent ?
There was so much coquetry in
her manner, and 80 much reserve
in her sudden silence that he knew
not what to think Of her. Some
times by her peals of laughter and
her beautiful and tender looks, she
would make him feel as though she
favored him; then she would dis-
miss him with q cold hand shake,
and send him disconnected back to
his place.
One day she had said, pointing
with her umbrella-tip toward the
Alaspret Tower, which, standing
at the top of q mass of rocks, COM
manded all the country Of Caux for
ten leagues around, "Is the legend
true that the old women Of the viii
lage tell, that those who are affian-
ed are accustomed to climb togeth-
er once, to the top of that tower, to
watch the sun rise ?'
He responded "It is local su-
perstition. Engaged couples never
fail to observe it. They pretend
that, il the sun remains veiled in
the union Of the young peo-
pie will be unhappy; but il the sun
shines full and strong. it betokens
their future happiness.
She said laughing, "Then, in re-
fusing to shine, the sun has blight
ed more than enc marriage ?"
''That occurs but rarely. TIE
promised love continues nine times
out of ten. The unbelieving young
people deny the augury if it 10 con-
trary to their hopes, and accept it
only if iss propitious."
"It must be q beautiful spectacle
to see the sun rising upon the coun-
try. / should love to climb to the
top of the tower-truly."
He looked at her with all his soul
in his eyes. "Undoubtedly it will
be very beautiful tomorrow, ma
demoiselle."
"Do you believe so In that
case, ! viii CO."
"And will you permit me to ac-
company you ?" stammered he in
a trembling voice.
She gaze him q steady look full
in the face-one Of her most proud
and inscrutsble looks-and answer
ed, "You are free to do so."
IL vas to that early morning rem
dezvous that he was going. NJ.
d'Herble nevertheless doubted her.
''She must be mocking me. !"