Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15

II
l wish yours were our only cares
but 60 your ways, grill" he added.
as the lady set forth on her journey
and be withdrew from the door.
AT the Rose Croft, the approach.
ing merry making bad superseded
all other family topics. both In par.
ior and kitchen. The harder was
already beginning to exhibit the
plentiful accumulation which, in q
place OF strength, might portend a
seige: the stable boys were ever on
the alert with their cavalry, to do
rapid errands to the town, and Mi
chsel Mossbank, she gardener, vas
seen IN frequent and earnest con.
sultasion With John Pouch, a river
side cot'er. touching supplies OF fish
and wjld-fowl.
Whilst the elder sister Alice des-
patched the graver duties of the
housekeeping. she had consigned to
Blanche the not less important care
OF summoning the guests, and the
maiden was now seated at the table
with pen iu hand registering the
names OF those who had been, or
were to be invited to the feast, or,
in other words, making a census OF
pretty nearly the whole titheable
population of st. Mary's and its de-
tendencies.
"A plague upon it for a weary la
Dor I" she exclaimed as she threw
down the pen and rested her chin
upon the palm Of her hand. 81
know / shall forget somebody I
ought not to forget. and shall be
well rated for il. Aud again I shall
be child for being too free with nv
fellowship. What a world OF names
is herel i did not think the whole
province had Sc many. There is
Winnefred Hay. the viewers sister
they have tales about her which,
IL they be true, IL is not fit she
should be crony OF mine-and vet
| don : believe them. though many
do. Truly, the viewer will be In q
grand passion II I slight her Sis
ter Alice, give me your advice"
Bid her to the feast, Blanche.
We should be slow to believe these
rumors to the injury OF o neighbor.
Wianefred Hay is not over discreet
and gives more semblauce to an
evil opinion than, in truth, her
faults deserve: but the townspeople
are scarce better in this quicknes
to censure-especially such as look
to the tobacco viewing. Lawrence
Hays place has something to do
with that scandal"
Il am glad, sister Alice. you give
me an argument to indulge my own
secret wish," replied Blanche; for
| like not to believe harsh reports
against any OF our province. And
so, that is at an end. Alack here
is another matter for counsel: Grace
Blackston says Helen Clements is
too young to be at my gathering -
she has two years before her yet at
school, and has only begun em5roid.
ering. Oh, but I would as soon do
barefoot peuance for q month as TO
disappoint her she is the widest
Of all for dance. and looks for It. |
know, though she says never a word
and has her eyes on the ground when
we talk about IL. Ha;i let Grace
Blackiston prate as she will, Helen
shall be here. Fairly, my gossip
] will be mistress 10 my own house.
promise you !"
There is room for all your friends,
young and old" said Alice land
you should not stint to ask them for
the difference OF span or so In
height. You are not quite a woman
yourself. Blanche-no. nor Grace
neither-slthough you perk your
selves up so daintily."
Would you have the gauger's
wife, sister?" inquired Blanche,
with face OF renewed perplexity.
Il think my dear Lady Maria would
be pleased IL bid the dame-for the
gauger is a good friend OF his Lord.
ship-hot headed. they say, but that
does not make him the worse-and
his dame takes it kindly to be no
ticed."
Even as you will. Blanche, lit is
mark OF gentle nurture not to be
too scrupulous with your questions
Of quslity-a kind height Dor will new.
er disgrace your courtesy. Rutoue
thing, child, your father will look
to:-see that you avoid these Goodies
and Fendalls and even the Chisel.
dies. There is a feud between
them and the Proprietary.-and my
Lord s friends are warm in the mat
ter, your father amongst the rest. -
1 protest they get no bid from
me, said Blanche, as the color man
tied her cheek. II hate them stock
and branch-yes, as my good lady
hates them"
Rlannha hnd