Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-03-14

them forever; and. ringi g the
bell, he babe the servant who an
swered his summons to ask Mrs.
Raymond IL she would come to him,
Muriel entered. wondering secret.
ly at the request; but she made no
Comment, seating hersslf silently
10 the chair be bad drawn up.
"Muriel," he began at length,
and his voice WAS SO husky that she
looked mp at him quickly-"Mur-
IIel, have something to say to you.
Heavens knows the misery it is
causing me, but we will let that
pass. Five years ago asked You
20 be my wiFe--don't misunder-
stand me, am not going to re-
proach You--you have done your
part faithfully and we'll. It's with
me that the blame lies. | thought
once that my great love would move
your heart; that. gradually. should
teach you to love me q little. 1t
was grave error. see it now,
and have paid heavy penalty for
my presumption. Well, it is all
over now"
Into his wife's marble cheeks had
swept faint tlnge OF color, and she
gave a short. quick. half audible
gasp She had recovered her com
posnre IN second, and continued
TO look steadily before her.
"Yes." be continued in me-
chanical fashion, "for five long
years have tried your patience,
seeking the love you could never
give. IL must have been a weari
some time, but sou may breathe
more freely now-the tragedy or
comedy ends tonight"
TSIce Mnriel attempted to speak
bot the words SEEMED to be choked
back into her throat, and she uas
silent. A heart aching smile over.
spread her husbands face as he
continued.
II am like the physician who
gilds the pill for his patient. Re
member that henceforth You are
free; that tomorrow and the next
day, aud all the DAYS Of your life,
you will be safe from nv presence.
Bear this 10 your mind. picture the
happiness Of it. and you will scarce-
ly feel the blow when | tell you
that am ruined. The newa has
not yet been made public, but to-
morrow tie whole city will know
and will know that your husband
il a bankrupt. haYo made every
calculation, and by the realization
of my private property, shall be
able in the course Of few months
TO pay every creditor fully. The
hnnse and furniture. aud the mon.
ey which lies at the bank ia your
name, will Of course, remain IN
touched. | am sorry that the
amount 10 not greater, but II will
at least keep you from poverty, and
even enable YOU TO live in some De.
gree Of comfort. cannot ask your
forgiveness for the havoc have
made of your life, though my grie:
is bitter enough AMI that, Mn
riel, il all" he concluded, as she
still sat silent, giving no sign.
Yes !" she assented coldly. II
understand. You are bcggar, and
- What have to live upon?"
"That will depend partly upon
circumstances, though it will prob
ably reach between three and four
hundred a year or course, il
there is a surplus after the firm s
liabilities have been met, my share
will 60 to swell your account"
"And yourself? How do you
propose to live ?" The words we're
common place enough. but Henry
RAYMOND looked up with a glad
light in his eyes.
ooh" he answered cheerfully,
"that will not matter Some one
will give me a clerkship for the
sake of old times, and | am not too
old to start life afresh.
Then be waited for her to go,
but she did not move. She sat
gazing dreamily before her.
1t was a painful story that the
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