Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-22

and bright lights -balcon
dansels behind the lattice, listening
to thrummers and singers upon the
pavements below. And upon 90.
casion, we wear the cloak and dag
ger. ] have worn cloak and stiletto
10 my travels. Master Collector, and
trolled . catch ID the true tongue Of
Tuscany when tuck and rapier
rung In the burden. The hot blood
there is q commodity which the
breeze from the Alps has no virtue
to cool, as IL doss In Switzerland.
We will try your singing craft
ere II be long. = replied the Collec-
tor. We will put you TO catch and
glee, with JIG 70 the heel OF II,
Richard CockIescraft. You must
know, Blanche 10 eighteen on the
festival Of ST. Therese, and we have
q iunketing forward which has set
the whole province astir. You
shall take part III the sport with the
townspeople, Master Skipper; and /
warrant you tind no rest Of limb until
you show as some new antics Of the
fashion which you have picked up
abroad. You shall dance and sing
| with Witnesses or good leg and
Q topping voice shall have no virtuel
| pray you, do not forget to make
one Of our company on the festival
of St. Theress, Your gew gaws,
Richard, and woman's gear, could
not be more In season; every wench
In the port IL like to be your debt
orr
Thanks, Master Collector, l have
o foot and voice, az. and hand, ever
at the service Of your good compa-
ny. will be trst to come and last
to depart. | have been mindful Of
the Rose OF St. Mary's In my voyag.
ing" he said In respectful and
lowered tone, ag he approached the
maiden. Mistress Blanche Is new
or so far out Of my thoughts that ]
might come back TO the port With
out some token for her. I would
crave your acceptance Of o pretty
mantle Of crimson silk lined With
mineyer. ! found itin bort, and
being taken With It's beauty, and
thinking how vol II would become
4 the gay stguf9ol nv pretty fDistrosA
Il Of the Hnet brought Il away
and make bold tQ1ask that Ia. II Ii
DO agrbeable TO Mistress Blanche,
and II / do not venture too inr--that
Imay beallowed to bring 10 hither.
i you may 6nd D worthier hand
| for such a favor said Blanche.
| with tone and look that some.
what eagerly repealed the proffered
gift, and manifested dislike at lie
| liberty which the skipper had taE0n
"a liberty which was In no degree
lessened to herapprehension by the
unaccostomed gentleness OF his
voice, and the humble and faltering
manner In which he had asked her
consent to the present. II am UNI
used to such gaudy trappings, and
should not be content to wear the
1 cloak :" then perceivlng some re-
proof, as she fancied, In the coun-
tsnance Of her sister Alice and La
dy Maria, she added In o kindlier
voice, II dare not accept IL at your
hand, Master Skipper"
Nay" replied Cocklescraft. pre-
suming upnn the mildness OF the
msiden's speech, and pressing the
matter with that 0btrusiveness that
marked his character and nurture,
II shall not take 10 kindly II you do
not" and as flush overspread bile
cheek, he added, Il counted 10 a
certainty that you would do me this
courtesy"
Men sometimes count rashly,
Master Cocklescraft. interp0sed
the Lady Maria. who presume upon
q maiden 3 willingness TO incur such
debts"
Save you, madam, replied the
skipper II should be sorry Mis-
tress Blanche should deem IL to be
mourning debt"
II have not been trained said
Blanche, with perfect self possess
sion and frmness OF manner, which
she intended should put an end 10
the shippers importantly, ITO re-
ceive such favors from the hand OF
q stranger"
you will, perchance. think bet
ter Of 1t, when you see the mantle. y
replied the skipper carelessly and
then added with saucy smile, "Wo.
men are changeful, Master Collector:
| will bring the gewgaw for Mistress
Blanche's Inspections chapman
may have that privilege"
"You may spare yourself the
trouble, said the maiden.
Nay, mistress, think 1t not o
trouble, beseech you count mo-
thing trouble which shall allow me
to please your fancy" As the skip
per uttered this he came still near
or to the chair on which Blanche
was seated, and almost 10 q whisper
said, II pray you, mistress, think
not so lightly Of my wish to serve
you. Ihave set my heart upon your
taking the mantle. .
Master Skipper. word with
you" interrupted the Secretary,
who had watched the whole scene
and aware OF the annoyance which
COcklescraft's rudeness inflicted up.
on the maiden. had quietly approach
ed him and now beckoned him TO q
J recess Of the window, where they
might converse without beinR heard
by the company. Ii Is not civil 10
4 - =. it, 49,. n. IL