Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-06-03

4 "Ah Master Albert. you have seer
l the gaudy world on the other side O
the sea, and can speak Of ID with as
surance. Our little, unfurnishe6
province has but small pleasures fcl
you: it is a make believe 10 praise
our homely hearths."
Il speak, Mistress Blanche. the
very 6reathings of my secret heart
and tell you, though little I car
boast OF acquaintance with thai
gaudy world, nothing have seen,
dreamed or tasted of worldly plea.
sure. nor ever fancied of human
happiness, that might exceed the
rek dal'gbt Of those household
scene you speak OF. !"
Were they not happy2'. exclaim.
ed Blanche, kindling into a rapture
excited by the fervor OF the Secre-
tary's earnest and eloquent manner.
We owe so much OF il to you. Mas
ter Albert. Until you came into the
province, we sometimes had a weary
hour at the Rose Croft: now, my
father finds it weary when you are
away. | do not.-because | may
surely count that it shall never be
long until you =, are here again.
Mercy did we not stand here to
dance? and see, our turn has past
all UNDECIDED. We will to the foot
again and take another turn"
1t was as the maiden had said.
In the engrossment OF their CONVEX
sation they had been passed by in
the country-dance. AS they now
went to the foot to bring themselves
into place. Blanche whispered, Il
rejoice the skipper is not come to-
night: his shredness has taught
him, Notwithstanding my fathers s
good will, that there is but little re-
lish for his company at the Rose
Croft"
You reckon without your host,
Mistress Blanche" replied the Se-
cretary. There is the skipper
outside of the window; and not well
pleased with his own nominations,
il may Judge by. his folded arms
and earnest eye."
Cocklescraft had been in the
porch. looking in upon the scene.
some moments before he was observ.
ed crowd OF domestics having so
pre- occupied the same station as al.
most to shield him from the notice
OF those within. Whilst Blanche
and Albert now danced, he had
planted himself in the door. His
countenaDce was grave, his attitude
statue-lfke, and his eye sharply fol-
lowed the emotions OF the maiden.
His dress, somewhat out -landish,
but still within the license of that
period, was Of Spanish fashion,
profusely decorated with embroidery
and set off by jewels OF exceeding
richness. 1t was too ambitious ol
ornament TO be compatible with good
taste, and manifested that love oil
tinery which is the infallible index
OF tawdry and sensual nature.
The thoughtfulness OF his counter.
ance denoted an abstraction. o
which he was obviously not con.
! scious at the moment, for he sooner
caught the glance OF Blanche thar
his whole bearing underwent a sud
den change; his eye sparkled, his
lip assumed a smile, and be became
at once, in appearance, the gay and
careless reveller.
God save the Rose OF st. Mary s
the beautiful flower OF our New
World" he said, as he approached
the maiden with what she could no
fail to note as an over acted effort Il
assume the cavalier. viva ID
Padrona! The damsels OF Portupa
will teach you the meaning OF tha
speech, pretty mistress. You have
a gallant company tonight" he ad
ded. as he cast his eyes around; IL
doing which he recognized Alber
Verheyden with scarcely percepti
BILE nod OF the head, and then turn
ed his back upon him. by you
leave. Mistress Blanche, l wouls
dance with you at your first leisure
the next dance, or the next an
your humble servant for as long a
you will. Shall it not be the mex
dancer"
II will tell you presently: knCI
not whether | may dance again tc
night, Master Cocklecraft," reptile
the maiden coldly.
There spoke the same tongu
that refused my mantlel Your crue
ty, mistress, exceeds that beaut
which all men so boast Of In thi
province. | wish / could bring 20
TO look upon me with compassion
Not even a dance with the queen {
our feast A poor. rough spoke
sailor meets but little grace in
lady's favor, when white -hande
lutte players and ballad singin