Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-29

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ject ofagreeable expectation be was,
oy q natural consequence, looked
upon with a friendly regard. His
address, gaiety Of demeanor, and
hne fgure-which last was studious-
ly set OF 70 great advantage by q
rich and graceful costume-height-
ened this sentiment Of personal fav-
or, and gave him privileges in the
society OF the town which, in that
age OF scrupulous regard TO rank.
would have been denied him II he
had been aconstant soiourner. En-
boldened by this reception he had
essayed 10 offer some gallant civili-
ties to the maiden OF the Rose Croft,
which were instantly repelIed, how
ever, by the most formal coldness.
The skipper was not so practised
an observer as to perceive in this
repugnance the actual aversion
which the maiden felt againt his &C :
vauces to acquaintance; and he was
content TO account il o merely girl
ish reserve which importantly and
assiduous devotion might overcome.
his vanity suggested the resolve to
conquer the damsel's indifference;
and as that thought grew upon his
fancy, il by degrees, Iipened into
a settled purpose, which ia the end
completely engrossed his mind. As
he brooded over the subject, and
permi tied his imagination to linger
around that form OF beauty and love-
liuess, cherished, as il was, during
the long weeks of his lonely track
ing OF the sea, and in the solitary
musings and silent night watch es OF
his deck,-a romantic ardor was
kindled in his breast. and he hasten
ed back to the port OF st. Mary's,
strangely wrought upon by new im.
pulses, which seemed to nave hum
aniZed and mellowed even his rude
nature: the shrewder observers
were aware OF more gentleness In
his bearing. thought they found him
more wayward in his temperate
was prouder of heart, YET with hum
bier speech, and often more stern
than before. The awakening OF
new passion had over mastered both
sbe ferocity and the levity of his
character. He was, in truth, the
undivulged. anxious, and almost
worshipping lover OF Blanc che
Warden.
When such a nature as have des-
cribed chances to fall into the loving
vein, IL will be admitted to be a
somewhat fearful category both for
the lady and the lovers rival. Such
men are not apt to mince matters In
the course of their wooing.
This was the person who now piled
his WAY towards tn 7ort. In solitary
rumination- over two distinct topics
OF private grief. each OF o nature TO
rouse the angry devil of his Sosom.
He could not but see that his first
approach towards the favor of his
mistress had been promptly repell-
ed. That alone would have filled
his mind with bitter ness, and given
harsh complexion TO his thoughts (;
but this cause OF complaint was
almost stified by the more engross-
ing sentiment of hostility against
the Secretary. That he should have
been rebuked for his behavior by a
man-and man, too. who evident
ly stood well with the lady OF his
love taken TO task and child in the
very presence OF his mistress, was
an offence that called Immediately
TO his manhood and demanded re-
dress. Such redress was more 10
his hand than the nicer subtilities
OF weighing the maiden s displeasure
AID he turned to it with a natural
alacrity, as 70 comfort in his per.
plexity. 1t is the instinct of a rude
nature TO refer all cases OF wounded
sensioility TO the relief of battle. A
rejected lover. like a child who has
lost toy, finds consolation in his
distress by fighting any one that he
can persuade himrelf has stood in
his way, and he is made happy when
there chances to be some plausible
ground for such proceeding. The
skipper thought the subject over In
every aspect which his offended
pride could fancy. At one moment
the idea OF quarrel with tie Secre
tary pleased him. and almost recon
ciled him to the maiden's coldness
at the next be doubted whether, af
ter all, she had in fact designed Il
repel his friendship. He vibratec
between these considerations for /;
space in silence his pride quelle6
the expression OF his anger. But
by degrees his quickened pace anC
sturdier step, and, now and then
that slight SHAKE of the head BY
which men sometimes express de
termination, made il plain that the
fiery element in his bosom was ris
ing in tumult. At length, unabl
to suppress his feeling, the in ware
commotion found utterance in words
Who and what is this Maste
Secretary that has set the maiden o
the Rose Croft TO look upon me wit
an evil spirit2 | would fain know
if he think himself a properer ma
than |. Does he stand upon his fin
gering OF a lutte, and his skill /
dance ? Why even in this chamber
craft / will put n to a wager he /.
no master Of mine. Is be more per
sonsble in shape or figure ?-goe,
he in better apparel Or, is tina
broken English OF his more natura
TO the province than my plain spsec
that he should claim the right :
chide me for my behavior Is
that he has a place in the train @
bis Lordship? Have not l serve,
as near TO belted knight-lord of
thousand stout hearts and master @
a feet Of thirty sail Pay, and i
straits where you should as 500
expect to meet hare as that croch
et-monger. A hookish clerk wit
no manly calling that should soil hi