Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-07-20
Written for the Beacon.l
Just Another Lesson Learned.
BY ALHNA.


and heaving bosom Irva Western
threw back her head in the peculiar
naughty manner all her own and
sprang from the open wagon with
the cutting remark that TO remain
longer in such company would be
at the sacrifice OF the remnant Of
self-respect she still possessed. {"
Oh, Irva dear, don't be angry"
cried Lena Dent. Stop the horses
somebody and help her back in.
Surelys Irvas you viii not be angry
at mere jest.
mo, Irva," chorused q half doz-
en- voices. "You are not angry !?
You will come back with US ?''
But Irva only shook her head and
dropped behind the party. The
horses were checked and nearly
each Of the party did penitence by
the side Of the angry girl, but peni-
tents and persuasions proved of no
avail. The company, the men in
particular, had been too personal,
too free in their remarks, and with
cheeks burning with shame and re-
sentiment Irva utterly refused to be
among them again. She bade them
leave her. saying "she would walk
the six miles back to her home and
feel proud of the achievement.
But, Miss Irva," pleaded Edgar
Norman, who would linger despite
her desire to the contrary, you are
surely not in earnest, are you
Please come and ride back to town,
will you? The men are truly sorry
and will give the conveyance up to
the ladies entirely if you say so.
"Oh do not worry about me, |
beg" replied Irva. 1T was my
own fault. l might have known
what to expect when / demeaned
myself by allowing others to per-
suade me into the foolishness of a
straw ride. Your persuasions now
are, however, useless, so pray de-
sist."
She ended her speech with such
biting scorn young Norman obeyed
at once, and left her standing in the
middle of the road just little too
miserable for anything. After trav-
cling about three miles through the
heatand dust Irva, almost exhausted,
sank down by the road side in
wretched little heap to have a good
cry. She was exceedingly nervous.
She had been terribly frightened
during her lonely march. Why
timid little rabbit dare not pop up
its sleek head without her face
blanching in terror. and now it was
beginning to grow dark what should
she do. Her heart almost stopped
beating at the thought.
''Oh |" she sobbed. IF had only
listened to Doctor Clifton. He told
or as good as told me what / might
expect from such a crowd"
Ah, how manly and tender he was
towards her. How different from
those other coarse men, her late
companions. How sweetly he had
argued her sarcastic remarks about
his lack of spirit and his narrow
mindness in regard to her antici-
pated straw ride, and how he had
tried to win her from her intention,
only at last to be made angry by her
wretched obstinacy. Heavens | but
she had been paid for her folly.
And I know he will never speak
to or notice me again" she moaned
miserably. He will always"
"Irva, is it possible 2" and DR..
Clifton refined in his steed beside
her. Fate surely sent me to this
spot" cried he. all his anger and
resentment vanishing at the sight ol
that helpless, sobbing. little heap
of humanity, and springing to the
ground he lifted the dropping figure
in his strong arms.
Shame and pride held her silent,
unbending for a time, but at last
yielded TO his tender pcrsuasions
and amid tears and sobs she told
him her story.
He, Of course, swore vengeance
against the party in question, but
Irva begged him to have nothing Il
do with them; that she did not care
for anything now. He had taken
her back to his heart and she was
content and happy.
''Oh, theu," said he. ''if that be
all, everything is satisfactory, as
sure you; but I am doctor and
warn that company to ever remain
in good health.
With happy laugh DR.. Clifton
caught her light form up in the sad.
die before him and bore her home
ward in triumph against bis heart
First Neighbor-My husband s
Il davoAion kn his xnhiSsor has rr,;rac