Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-03-04

We viii ADVISE Win rather
Pierre and Lady Maria." respond.
ed Grace Blackiston; they are
coming this way"
At this moment the reverend
priest. and the ladies with whom
be had been in conversation, ap.
preached. The sister of the Pro.
prietary was distinguished as well
bv her short stature and neat attire,
as BY her little Indian attendant,
who followed bearing the lady's
missal. The tall figure of Father
Pierre, arrayed Ia his black tunic
and belt, lowered above his female
companions. He bore bis square
bonnet of black cloth 10 his hand,
disclosing a small silk cap closely
fitted TO bis crown, fringed around
with the silver lock which, ssparat-
ing on his brow. gave the grace OF
age to countenance full OF benign
ity.
The presence OF the churchman
subdued the eager gaiety of the
crowd, and two or three OF the maid.
ems ran up to him with an affection
ate familiarity to make him acquain-
ted with the subject of their conten-
tion.
Father, said Grace Blackistou,
I'VE bave a complaint to lodge
against Mistress Blanche fer a pro-
mise breaker. You must counsel
her father. to her duty"
"Ah. my child! pretty Blaucbe!'
exclaimed the priest, with the
alacrity Of his native French temper,
as be took the assailed damsel by
the hand, what have they to say
against your l will be your friend
as well as your Judge"
The maidens, father" replied
Blanche. have taken leave of their
wits, and have beset me like mad.
caps to give them a dance at the
Rose Croft on my birthday. And
have stood on my refusal, father
Pierre, as for a matter that would
bring me into censure for pertness-
as I am sure you will say 10 would
with worshipful people. that dam.
sci who should be modest 10 her be.
havior. should so thrust herself for
ward to be observed"
And we do no: heed that. Father
PIERRE" interrupted Grace Black
ston, who assumed to be the spokes
woman Of the party, holding it Il
be a scruple more nice than wise
Blanche has trick OF standing bacl
more than a maiden needs. And
besides, we say that Mistress Alic,
is bound by pledge of word. anc
partly Blanche too. for she stood b,
and said never word against it
that we should have good cheer anc
dancing on that dav at the Rose Croft
1t is the feast of the blessed virgin
Terese, and we would fain persuad
Blanche that the festival should b.
kept for the sake OF her birth -da,
saint"
my children" said the priest
who during this debate stood In tn
midst OF the blooming troop. castin,
his glances from one to another witt
the pleased expression OF an inter
ested partaker OF their mirth, and a
the same time, endesvoring to assum
a countenance OF mock gravity, w
will consider this matter with i'm
partial Justice. And first, we viii
hear all that Mistress Blanche ha
TO say. Ii is profound subjec,
Doyou admitthe promise, my child?'
II DO not deny. Father Pierre, tha
last Easter, when we met and dane
ed at Grace Blsckston s. my siste
Alice did make some promise, an,
/ said nothing against Ii. But /
was an idle speech of sister Alice
which l thought no more OF till now
aud now should not have remember
ed it IL these wild mates of mine ha'
not sung il in my ear with sucl
clamor as must have made you thin
we had all gone mad"
1T is honestly confessed" sal,
Father Pierre; land though I heart
the outcry all the way to the churcI
door. yet l did not deem the dam
sells absolutely mad, as you suppos
ed. am an old man. my child. an
have been taught, by my experience
in what key seven. eight. or min
young girls will make known thei
desires when they are together; an,
truly, tits their nature to speak al
at the same time. They speak NOR
than they listen. hs, bal But W
shall be mistaken IL we conclud
they are mad"
Blanche, love-" interposed tn
Lady Maria. you have scarce give
a good reason for gsinsaying th
damsels. Have q care or you ma
fiud me q amutineer on this question.
That's q rare lady-a kind ladyl
shouted several. Now, Blanche