Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-07

towards her destination. A few
minutes sufficed 10 bring the voy.
ayers 10 the small wharf beneath
the cliff OF the Rose Croft. and In q
moment all were ashore. except a
single mariner who was left to guard
the boat.
Peacel" whispered Cocklescraft
pease with that rafting OF pixies,
Form under the bank and remain
quite until ascend and examine the
place"
The leader now crept, with noise.
less footssep. up the pathway which
terminated upon the plain in front
OF the dwelling. He walked across
the lawn, by tha very spot where.
scarce fortnight gone by, he had
hao bis hostile interview with Al
bert Verheyden. The little rustic
temple Of st. Therese yet stood, with
its faded foliage. upon the grass.
plot: the flower were still
there, although the plants were re.
moved - their shelter from the frost:
nothing met the eye OF the foul-pur-
posed rover but the images OF con
tent and innocence which marks d
the abode OF happy family: even
the house dog, who at first grow led
as with show OF battle, changed his
threat into greeting as the Skipper
prohered his hand and claimed ac-
quaintance. The tokens OF confid-
ing security were all around him,
and as he recalled the last time be
bad visited this place, and remembe
ed the incidents OF the festival of St.
Therse-the maiden s coldness. her
father S disdsin, and the Secretary
favor, he laughed with the thought
Of the mastery he now held over the
fate OF the household. He could
withdraw himself from the
luxury OF his present rumination,
but wandered to and fro in front 70
d welling,-theu made q circuit a.
round it. and, returning again to the
front. stood beneath the window
through which the fee BILE taper shone
with that steady but suddued raw
which OF itself was a symbol OF the
deep repose OF the tenant OF the
chamber.
Il could wake thee, lady gay"
he said. with as blithe a serenade
rs ever tuned thy dream to pleasant
measures but that l ack the instru-
ment. And though l be not the
cavalier OF thy fancy. Blanche War.
den. pretty rose of St. Mary s, yet,
by my soul, love thee we'll enough
TO put myself to some pains ID teach
thee how thou shalt love me. We
dance together on the green wave
10 morrow. lass!--little as you dream
OF such merriment now. And as |
would not have tbs bushes seen.
must cen lead thee forth before
day" z4zr-------
With this sally, he returned to
bis comrades. and commanded them
TO ascend the bank. Three men
were detached around the house TO
keep q lookout, and the other eight.
Cocklescraft himself. an.
preaching the hall door.
What. hol Fire, thieves, rob-
bersl" shouted Cocklescraft, aided,
in rising clamor. by his men, at
the same time striking loudly with
the butt OF pike against the door.
Rouse ye. rouse, ye, or you will
have house about you earsl Fire,
Master Warden, thieves, rovers.
an d savagesl"
A scream was first heard in the
chamber from the window OF which
the light had been seen-aud Cock
lescraft. putting his hand TO his ear.
laughed as he recognized the voice
OF the maiden.
BY our lady," he said-''our
gentle mistress sings well!''
In the next instant q window was
thrown open on the opposite side OF
the house. and the figure OF Anthony
Warden, in his night gown, with a
candle in his hand, was partially
thrust out, whilst he exclaimed
What is this pother? Who comes
at this hour to alarm the family?
Who are ye, | say. that seek TO dis
turb the rest of my household with
your villainous shoutings?"
Answer him. Roche" whisper
ed Cocklescraft; II dare not"
Open yours doors, Collector, "
said Roche; I'VE have business
with you"
Get you hence, drunken knavesl"
returned Mr.. Warden II will call
my servants and drive you off the
ground"
by my hand, If you do not open
your doors, Master Warden" said
Cocklescraft. finding that he could
not trust the conduct OF the assault
TO his mate, we will break them
open and quickly"
Who are you that speak so sau-
cily?" demanded the Collector.
Richard Cocklescraft-an old
friend, Master Anthony. who bsing
about to put to sea, would make his
last visit TO the officer OF the port.
Throw wide yonrs doors and let us
in. old man, or it may be the worse
for thy gray hairs"
"Ho, Michael Mossbank, Nicho.
las, Tomkinl" shouted Mr.. Warden,
as he withdrew his head from the
window; up, get up-bring my
blunderbus-we are beset-stir
yourselves. my trusty feilows!"
The house was now lighted in
various parts, and every one was on
foot. Blanche, at the first summons,
sprang from her bed. and ran tc her
sister Alice, screaming in a parox-
ysm OF alarm; but whilst the iu-