Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-01-25
MAID OF THE PALISADE
- BELLE KAnAhIs MANDATES.

day rode man, sternfaced and gaunt
Presently he came to a clearing where
upon slope OF green was set house
more pretentious than one would ex-
pect to find In so primeyaI time
and place. This oasis Of modernity
was encircled by palisade. As he
drew near, the gate was unbarred by
a brnwny servant, to whom the man
tossed the bride as he dismounted.
As he went toward this house, q
slender, glrlish form with eyes OF corn
flower blue and a skin OF snow and
roses came out to greet him. His
stern features softened as he stopped
to kiss her.
.'Myla. my child" he murmured ten
derby al they went up the steps to-
gether
II was for her, his motherIess daugh-
ter, his all that he had built this pail
saded palace In the forest and had
guarded 1t SO jealousy from every in
truder
A nun-Iike life lived the fair Myla,
who was known far and wide as the
Beautiful Maid OF the Pallsads"
Fate stepped in the very next day.
when the stern Master Mollins again
journeyed away on his red-brown
horse. Myla accompanied him to the
towering pine which marked the
boundary OF her freedom Then with
goodbye. she turned and retraced
her steps A read to the right lured
her She strayed aimIessly from her
beaten path and wandered at Will
She soon paid the price. A Tout OF
fellow stepped from behind tree
"And 80 the Maid OF the Palisade Is
freed at last" he cried with q leer,
planting himself In her path,
Myla cried out in fright The man
stepped nearer. And then came q
knight to the rescue In the person OF
one Capt. Philip Darcy, who knocked
the fellow senseleaa. Then he turned
to Myia. and her eyes. admiring. trust
Ing. met hts own. They walked 70
gether through the deep woods, and
she chaitsd to him freely Of her close
ly guarded life.
And you are content to live this
hermit iife7" he asked earnestly.
Il am very happy" she assured
him. 'and no danger has ever come
To me until today was well pun
iRhed for my disobedienee In not re
turning directly home"
Are you sorry" asked the captain
in low. vibrant tones. "that you turned
from your path"
No she answered awee,iy and shy
~ Il am glad"
He walked home with her. but she
babe him leave her before they reach.
cd sight OF the stern wardsr al the
gate.
Il shall come tomorrow" said the
young captain gravely. when your
father IL here"
Hearts moved quickly In those days.
and the captain returned the next day
n wooer. but Master Gregory Molllua
ruthlessly repnlssd his advances and
babe him begone never 10 return.
IF Il must be that my daughter wed
some day. when she Ia much older,
will never give her 70 a soldier he
declared.
Love would have laughed at pait
sades, but var claimed the young cap
tain's services and be must needs ride
away.
Faith ana hops thriyed Ia Myia's
heart, bnt when the war wna ended
and long time elapsed With no word
from the young soldier, shn began to
fade Ike a flower too much in the
sun. When fever contagion was car.
Red by servant to the paliesded for.
esthouse, Myla proved n ready victim.
A physician was summoned frum
Jamestown, aud the crisis waH passed
successfully, but Myla remained weak
and eneryatad
Il have done all Ia my power tbs
doctor frankly informed the agoniTsd
father. ~but this 10 a condition that
battles my knowledge There Ii
young doctor lately come 10 James
town whom should like to bring here
Ia consultation.
Master Mollins consented. but he
CHANGED 70 be asleep when the young
surgeon called. When be awoka, he
learned that the new doctor had made
his visit and departed He went 70
the sick room. There was look OF
the old Myia Ia the face upon the
pillow. Tho nsrRa followed him into
the hall.
THE new doctor seemed 10 put new
life and strength into her with the
mere touch Of hia hand upon her
wrist, she Informed him.
The father eagerly awaited the com.
ing OF Myia's savior the next morning.
He met him at tho door
"Youl" he thunderee. looking into
the grave eyes OF Philip Darcy. what
intrigue IL thIs7 How dare you pre-.
tend to be doctori"
Il am a doctor" replied the young
man quietly Il was a surgeon In the
army. | settled hero In jamestown 10
be near her. can save her life"
In silence the father led him 10 the
sick room. Myla looked up, her eyes
full Of life and Joy.
Father" ahe cried 'He has saved
my life twice and she told him of
their first meeting.
Master Mollins bowed 20 fate.
You have won her. he acknowI.
edged with sigh.
You have not lost your daughter"
said Philip earnestly. You have