Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-01-24

he knew how her pridE must have
been stung and her heat wounded
by the hostile treatmeat she had
received from her husbands rela-
tives.
Honest work can never degrade
any one Godfrey said, at last.
But you must permit me to say
that | think you would be sadly ont
of place in a wooden factory. You
have talents OF high order, | am
sure, and ! cannpt m - ssud ~by
you ever took such place"
Il will tell you said Laura after
a moments delIberation, "though
/ have never made the explanation
before to any one, in fact, no one
cared to know anything at all OF
me. Well, my father retired from
the army in i'll health, and the lit
tie he possessed soon look wings
At his death my mother aud we're
left actually in need of bread. At
that time could not procure a
place to teach, for the schools were
about breaking up, yet something
had to be done at once. The fac
tory needed hands, and became
one OF them. After that | had no
time to look for anything else, |
worked early and late, my mother
was in III health, and so staid
there until Harry came aud took
me away.
lie wrote me a long letter at the
time Of his marriage, said Godfrey,
and said how fortunate il was that
he went himself that eventlul day
to select the woollens. lilo little
dreamed Of meeting his fate.
The widows eyes filled with tears,
and she turned her head aside that
they might not be seen. How we'll
she remembered that egentful day
when she had frst seen barry Fair
fax She had been only factory
hand, but he had fallen Ia love with
her.
i hope you will take it as kindly
Is ] mean 1t when say that It is
my wish that you should allow me
TO add something TO your income,
said Godfrey, hesitatiugly. ln
deed, it is only just that should
10 so. You have not enough to
support you in comfort, aud ] can.
not bear 10 think Of your working
while ! enjoy the fortune which
should belong 10 you by right. !
cannot understand why Harry
Il understand IT,, Laura inter.
rnpted, little coldlY, and though
appreciate Your offer | cannot &C.
cept it. No. Mr.. Fairfax, ! will
never more be indebted to one OF
your name for anything. Though
was only factory girl, have as
much pride az most women, and
the family into which | married
need have no fear OF being further
troubled by ME-
Her eyes, misty with tears a mo.
ment before. now dashed FIRE, and
her bosom heayed conyulsively with
the storm OF Indignation the recol-
lection Of the many Sights she had
received called up.
Godfrey looked genuinely dis
tressed. He knew not how to ex
cuse the conduct OF his relatives,
which had certainly been the re-
verse OF kind or courteous toward
Harry's wife.
Il feel sure, Mrs. Fairfax, he
said, at length, that il Harry's
family could have known you they
would not have failed to love you,
as much for your own sake as for
his.'
They never cared to know me-
they took pains to avoid me, said
Laura. But what does it matter
now? 1t is all over, and we will
not talk of it, for it cannot be a.
pleasant subject to either Of US
But allow me to make my own
excuses, said Godfrey. earnestly.
Il have seemed guilty Of neglect,
perhaps. ] cannot go away leaving
you under wrong impression,
about myself at least. At the time
nf HarrY's marriage | was in Eu-
rope. and returned only when |
heard of his death and nv accea-