Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-04-20
(Wntten for tie Beaeon)
A LEGEND OF
ST. MARY's COUNTY.
BY UNCLE NED.

n
throughout the community. Hewas thu
only son Of a widowed mother who
in the blindness OF her love and affection
had, unfortunately, fastened him hand
and foot while she lived. Like othel
men, as time advanced, his mind began
to take o turn contrary 10 his hasty
lpr0mise. For Mentlss ard monfhs u
haa borne al with fortftude and manli
ness, as riper aud ripergrew his affections
for Florence Parker. On q bright May
morning, after returning from a sick call,
ne looked somewhat haggard and wan,
SO much so that his mother thus aecosted
him:
"Why, George, you don't look yourself
OF late. What is the matter with you 2''
well, mother" said he, 81 feel that
have been weighed in the balance and
found wanting. You know that / am
bound by a promise and you are power
less to help me-"
ITO help you, my sonI What would
| not do to help your"
1T is not to do in this ease, mother,
but to undo"
Poor, fickle boy" said his mother as
she swept from the presence other discon-
sOlate son. YES" went on the mother.
Found wanting, eh? That means his
love is stronger in another direction, has
found some pretty, smooth face that
looks sweeter than mine. Love her best |!
1t is none other but that sallie Merton.
I've heard a thing or two. Crazy boy |
She's got him clip and clear. Little
thinks he of the promise he made me
never to marry whilst live. He would
have me undo it, eh, for the sake Of that
- l declare it will put me in bed.
can't stand it. Twill go to him at once
and tell him to his face what think"
She had left George glancing over news
paper, but when she entered the room he
was absent.
John, John" she called to the boy.
"Where is the doctor?''
81 don't know, man. He ordered his
horse and left in great haste, and a boy
was with him. A sick call, suppose. I"
Dear me, il the boy mad to leave the
house in such a rude manner? Humph
What is this?' said Mrs. W. as she un-
folded note lying on the table, which
read as follows:
DEAR DR.-Please come without de-
lay as mother is very i'll. Taken sudden
ly about 9A.M.
"In haste, "SALLIE MERTON. I"
Land sakesl So this explains it all,
and a very pleasant visit on his part, no
doubt" murmured the vexed mother.
She went about her duties, awaiting
the doctors return. The clock struck 9.
10, IL, Il, and still no return. The FIRE
OF jealousy began to flame i'm the bosom
OF fond and loving but nevertheless
wounded mother. She gave vent to tears
and epithets, such as only would, per-
haps, escape the lips OF many a mother
under similar circumstances.
About o'clock i'm the morning the
doctor arrived. He hastily apologized
for leaving the house so abruptly, stating
the conditions of the case which required
his immediate attention, to which his
mother replied somewhat gruffiy:
Altogether a rather pleasant evening
for you, perhaps" as she left the room.
Poor mother" said Woodburn; al see
that l have wounded her unintentional-
ly and am sorry. Ill try in some way
to make amends. I'll fix it up in day
or so. Come, cook, want some break
fast"
The table was spread, and up stairs
tipped the doctor, seizing his mother by
the arm, insisting that she must join
him or be must go without his breakfast,
and saying that she had misjudged him,
and to think no more about the matter.
Whilst the hame Of jealousy had thus
been raging In the bosom OF his mother
at home, it had also found its way to a
heart in another direction. Florence
Parker intimated that she also regretted
similar promise, to which her father
sternly and emphatically replied, that
since she preferred to thus forsake him in
the evening Of life, it would be TO forfeit
her inheritance, even to the last penny.
Knowing that the old gentleman was
positive as well as turbulent, she feared
to lose his parental regard, and simply
with a mental reservation told him that
his word had always been law with her.
and begged that he would no further
worry. Here was a state of affairs, the
most complicated case, unequalled, per-
haps, in the annals Of courtship. Ii isto
be supposed that both sides were kent
thoroughly posted whilst their plan was
put in execution. The plan was to keep
quiet and await results for a limited time.
Woodburn had assured his mother that
she had misiudged him in regard to Miss
Merton, but was careful to advance no
further light upon the matter. Florence
was also equal to the emergency in play.
ing her part, and their plan was that by
working a wheel within a wheel they
might thus smooth the troubled waters.
float along with the tide OF events and 30
arrive at their destination without a for
felt of the vast wealth awaiting them.
Woodburn had succeeded in explaining
away his mothers fears, and 80 man
aged again TO win her confidence. One
day whilst in one Of his lively moods he