Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-09-09

Blanche, where he related 10 her
the story ofthe fisherman's q murder:
and when he told her OF his purpos-
ed adventure, il was with q prouder
tone then he had ever assumed be-
Tore; there was even perceptible In
ii trace Of self-exaltasion altogeth-
or unusual in his speesh. He was
now bolder and more assured man,
and his character began TO assume
q more confident development.
Blanche listened with maidenly re-
serve, as If sha was almost ashamed
to confess the interest she took Ia
Master Albert's Communication.
She was solicitous for his health and
1amfort In the <ireary ride through
the woods be was about 10 unders
take, ard which might be prolonged
until late at night; and she was fain
almost TO advise him againstsuch an
exposure-but she feared TO tell him
so much, lest IL might be thought
taking too great a freedom. Thus
engrossed, the hours flsw by un-
needed. aud. in truth, forgotten,
until the afternoon had reached
nearly four o'clock, when suddenly
Benedict Leonard, without an.
nouncement or even premonitory
rap at the door. entered the par
lor.
Goodness, Master Albert I" he
exclaimed, think OF me-such a
crack-noddlel You will never trust
me again, l may make sure OF that
Would you believe Ii, rode full
two miles past the Ross Croft here,
with my uncle Talbot and John Al
ward. and all the people on their
way TO hunt the murderers, without
so much as ever once thinking of
you? / said. when we started, I
would ride as far as ST. Inigo's mill.
and then come back and as clear
forgot you till | stopped at the mill
as II there was no such person as
you or Blanche Warden in the wide
world: and might have thought of
Mistress Blanche, too, because nv
Aunt Maria igave me a message for
her-now what is it2 Oh, It is gone
it is gone a plague on IL that's
got out OF my head too. No matter,
Master Albert, my uncle Talbot told
me 70 say. when we parted, that he
would be on the path which leads
down to Point Lookout, aud that you
must follow as fast as you can.
1T is late in the evening for so
long ride. Master Albert" said
Blanche. as with o look of alarm she
involuntarily laid her hand upon
his shoulder; you will not venture
alone so near nightfall?"
Il should be accounted a most
faithless laggsrd, If / stayed be-
hind now," replied the Secretary.
There is a broad road for some
four miles, and l will go at q speed
till l overtake the riders. At the
greatest mischance," he added.
smiling, whilst he buttoned his
overcoat closely across his breast,
"tis but a night in the woods. I
will keep this vigil OF Holland Mass
like q herm;t-or rather like a squire
of chivalry undergoing the ordin-
ance of knighthood, by watching
over his sword. The saints be with
you, mistressl | must set good
store by the daylight and turn it
to account: farewell. till we meet
againl"
FAREWELL" family echoed the
maiden; Master Albert, let us see
you tomorrow.
"If was Master Albert" said
Benedict Leonard to Blanche, when
the Secretary left the room, II
would court favor with Mistress
Coldscale to get slice OF something
from the larder: oh, this riding
gives an appetite. | warrant you,
that man will eat his sleeve for
want OF better provenderi There.
Master Albert is gone," added the
youth. as the Secretary was seen 70
pass the window, ''and | must back
TO the mansion before sunset; INV
mother will be making me a pretty
discourse about rheums and catarrhs
and all her other ailments, IL I be
caught abroad after candle light
this time o year-especially. too, as
il looks like rain: so, good even.
Mistress Blanchei" and with this
speech the heir apparent took his
leave, abandoning the maiden to her
meditations.
When Albert Verheyden turned
out upon the high road be put spurs
10 his horse and raised his speed IN
a tallop, until he found himself i'm
mersed in the hills aud ravines
which lay about the head of st.
Inigo's. One or two wayfarers
whom he had chanced to meet, had
answered his inquiry after his COM
panions, by informing him that a
troop OF townspeople. consisting of
some eight or ten, had passed along
the road at a pretty brisk motion,
not less than three or four miles
ahead OF him. The broken country
into which he bad plunged, (the
road winding through narrow dells
and surmounting short and steep
acclivities) the thiekets that tangled
his path, and the occasional swamps
OF the low grounds, forced him TO
slacken his pace and proceed with
greater caution on his route. The
prints Of horses hoofs upon the damp
soil, in places. were fresh and show.
ed him that he was not only on the
right track. but also that he was at
no great distance behind his CON-
pany. The sky was overcast. and
the clouds, as the sun came nearer
TO the horizon. assumed by degree
still more and more of that misty.
dun-colored hue which indicated
the approach Of rain. A sombre.
dark gray tint, unrelieved by light
and shade, fell over the whole land
a. nd .,k=l.