Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-21
CHAPTER XXXII.

Encouraged by the support Of her
companion, Blanche feebly tottered
towards the bow of the boat, and
thence landed on the beach. Whilst
she leaned upon Mistress Coldcals's
arm and advanced towards the fire.
Cocklescraft came forward 10 meet
her; and as he was about 10 address
her in that tone of light salutation
in which he had heretofore spoken,
ne was arrested in his first words,
by the maiden flinging herself upon
her knees. Immediately at bis feet,
and looking up in his face with her
eyes bedimmed with tears. assbecried
out for murcy-
Spare mel" she exclaimed--"Oh,
spare q wretched girl. who has new
or imagined thought. nor spoken
word of harm against you. Save
me from broken heart and bewiId-
cred brain-from misery, ruin, and
disgracei II /. Or any fissads -of
mine. have ever given you offence,
on my knees and iu the dust I en-.
treat forgiveness:-pardon.-par- par
don a fault whereof have ever been
unconscious. II one touch OF pity
dwell in your bosom. oh think OF the
miserable being at your feet and
send her back to her home. Land
me but on yonder shore. and will,
morning and evening. remember you
in prayers aud invoke blessings on
your headl"
This posture doth not become
our queen, said Cocklescraft, stoop.
ing to raise the maiden 30 her feet,
who shrinking from his touch
crOuched still lower TO the earth.
This Is but a foolish sorrow. Do
/ not love you Blanche? Ay, by the
Virginl and mean to do we'll by you.
| have stuffs OF price on board the
Escalfador. which shall trick you
out as gloriously as q queen indeed:
our dame here shall ply her skill
at the needle to set you forth quick.
ly. Aud then that pretty robe of
crimson and mipever which unthink-
ingly you did refuse. you shall wear
it yet. girl. l have chains of gold
and jewels rare, tomakeyougaya as the
gaudiest flower Of the field. l will
bear you to an enchanted island,
where slaves shall bend b. fore you TO
your bidding, and whereyou shall
have store of wealth to scatter with
such profusion as in dreams you
have never even fancied. We will
abide in a sea- -girt tower upon q
sunny cliff, and through your win
dow shall the breezs from the beau
tiful, blue Atlantic fan you TO even
ing slumbers. My gay bark shall
be your servant, and ride, at com
mand. upon the wave; whilst our
merry men shall teke tribute from
all the world, that you may 20 bra.
yer and more daintily. Cheer up,
weeping mistress; your mishap is
not so absolute as at first you feared.
1Our nanO, leSSl
Blanche sprang TO her feet with
q sudden energy, and retreatiug q
pace from her prosecutor, cast upon
him look Of resolute and indignant
pride:
Base wretch" she said, 81 dare
to spurn your suit. Defenceless as
/ stand here. q weak and captive
GIRL IL be the last word / have
TO utter.-I abhor you and your
loathsome offer" Then relapsiup
into that tone of grief from which
this momentary impulse had drawn
her. she added, Ibid you think
did y nj think, Master Cocklescraft,
when you stole me from my father 3
house. that fair speech from you, or
promise Of gold. could win me 20 be
your wife2 Oh, sir, IL. In that error.
you have heaped the sin of this deed
upon your soul, quickly learn that
not all the gold Of all the mines, nor
longestwooing, nor promise Of akipg
dom, IL that were yours to give,
might persuade me,-though the
speaking Of the word should lift me
from abject misery or the pangs Of
death to give q favorable word to
your suit. With holy faith and sad
dest reverence, / call my guardian,
the ever blessed virgin Therese, q
hear my vow;-I never will be
thine"
"A boat, n boatl" cried out the
voice Of the man at the lower part