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

CHAPTER xxxII.

Encouraged by the support Of her
companion, Blanche fscbly tottered
towards the bow of the boat, and
thence landed ON the beach. Whilst
she leaned upon Mistress Coldcale's
arm and advanced towards the fire,
Cocklescrait came forward TO 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 bis first words,
by the maiden flinginR herself upon
her knees, Immediately at his feet,
and looking up In his face with her
eyes bedimmed with tears. asshecried
out for murcy-
Spare mel she exclaimed" Oh.
spare wretched girl, who has new
or imagined thought, nor spoken
word Of harm against You, Save
me from broken hears and bewild-
cred brain--from misery fuin. and
disgraceI II I, or any friends Of
mine, have ever given you offence,
on my knees and In the dust / en-
treat forgiveness pardon. = par
don fault whereof / have ever been
unconscious. II one touch OF pity
dwell 10 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 and invoke blessings on
your headl"
This posture doth not become
our queen, said Cocklescrafb, stoop.
ling to raise the maiden 10 her feet,
who shrinking from his touch
cr0uched still lower TO the earth.
This is but o foolish sorrow. Do
/ not love you Blsnche2 Ay, by the
Virginl and mean TO do well by you.
| have stuffs of price on board the
Escalfador. which shall trick you
out as gloriously as o queen indeed:
Our dame here shall ply her skill
at the needle to set you forth quick
lily. And then that pretty robe OF
crimson and minever which unthink-
ingly you did refuse. you shall wear
IL yet, girl. / have chains Of gold
and jewels rare. tomakeyougay as the
gaudiest flower OF the field. l will
bear you to an enchanted island,
where slaves shall bend before you TO
do your bidding, and whereyou shall
have store Of wealth TO scatter with
such profusion as Ia 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 breeze from the beau
tiful, blue Atlantic fan you TO even
ing slumbers. Ny gay bark shall
be your servant, and ride, at COM
mand. upon the wave; whilst our
merry men shall take tribute from
all the world, that you may go bra
yer and more daintily. Cheer up,
weeping mistress; your mishap Ia
not so absolute as at first you feared.
Your hand, lessi"
Blanche sprang TO her feet with
o sudden energy. and retreating q
pace from her prosecutor, cast upon
him a look OF resolute and indignant
pride:
Base wretch, . she said, IT dare
Ito spurn your suit. Defencelf as
| stand here, weak and captive
girl, --if IL be the last word / have
TO utter.-I abhor you and your
loathsome offer" Then relapsing
into that tone OF grief from which
this m6mentary impulse had drawn
her, she added, did you think
did ycu think, Master Cocklescraft.
when you stole me from my fathers
house, that fair speech from you, or
promise OF gold. could win me to be
your wife? Oh, sir, II. in that error.
you have heaped the sin Of this deed
upon your soul, quickly learn that
not all the gold Of ell the mines, nor
lonRestwooing, nor promise Of akipg.
dom, II that we're yours TO give,
might persuade Mccullough the
speaking Of the word should lift me
from abject misery or the panRs Of
death, Ito give q favorable word to
your suit With Molly faith and sad :
dest reverence, | call my guardian,
the ever blessed virgin Therese, 70
hear my vow;-I never will be-
thine"
"A boat, 8 boat" cried out the
voice Of the man y ths lower part