Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-09-18
NellieDayton's
May"
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Twice she had said may" and the
last time Marvin Wade marveled deep
" over the perversity Of the nature
feminine. She was something more
than lovely. was this idol Of his
dreams.
Yet there was n winning gentieness
TO her manner. n tenderness half en-
pressed with those whom she liked
or pitied or wanted 10 help. II was
because she saw sterling worth In
Marvin Wade that she checked his
erst outburst Of love and repressed
its recognition In her own heart.
"We have not known each other
very long," she said: 'and we are
young. and we win continue very good
friends"
The sincerity and earnestness Of his
second appeal a month later well nigh
carried down the barrier OF her re
serve. He was 30 manly, his longing,
ingenious eyes revealed a soul filled
with the deepest devotion. but pretty,
positive Nellie Dayton said:
"You have not yet safely tested your
reserve strength for the battle Of life.
There are trials and temptations. Are
you sure Of yourselfl Let us see what
Q year or two may do for both of us
I'm the way Of looking at the concrete
ways Of life"
"why, It's very plain the girl loves
you. Marvin" declared his closest
friend. "She loves you so much that
she wishes you TO be sure that you
know your own mind"
-Ohl II she only really does like
me-" overfiowed Marvin. "Pd be will.
Ing TO wait one eternity for herr
"You know Nellie isn't much like
other girls. Her folks were strict dis
ciplinarians, great church people, and
she. while neither prude nor Pharisee.
looks 10 truth and steadfastness as
guiding elements. Trialsi She wants
TO see how you meet and conquer
them. Temptationf You're fawless
In your habits. Marvin. Whyi You
don't even know how to play bill
liaryis. Perhaps because thoughtful,
anxious Nellie realizes that sometimes
the fellow who has never even smoked
O cigarette goes 10 like n whirlwind
when he does get started, she awaits
that very test"
you've hit it-that's the keynote.
temptation 20 burst out Marvin con-
vineedly. ~Oh: but she need never
think have any wild oats to sowl
Why. every aspiration OF my soal is
to nourish beautiful flowers OF the
mind that win bloom. and bloom, and
bloom clear 10 the end Of life under
the golden sunshine Of Nellie's sweet
smileI'
'tOh, but you've got Il badl That's
all right, though, and you're all right,
too. and you're going TO win Nellie in
ths end" and Marvin looked hopeful
and went away with big idea In his
mind.
"TemptationT' reflected the ardent
iover-"that 10 the keynote Of Nellie's
ideas. see II clear as can be be. She
is such a perfect girl. with her chari-
ties and her strict church ways, that
II she should ever marry and find out
later that her husband swore or told
lies Il would break her heart. I don't
pretend to be goedy-g goody. but I have
got manhood enough and respect for
my mothers memory and regard for
Nellie TO keep me from anything that
would grieve those love. Now IL that
great bugaboo Of my falling by the
wayside worries Nellie, I'm going TO
show her / can stand the test"
10 was about week after that
when Nellie heard news that zrieyed
her. A girl friend came 10 her, all
a-Hutter with excitemenet.
"Oh, Nellier she said, II hear some
dreadful things about Marvin Wade.
Ny brother says he's bound 10 20 10
the dogs. quick and fast, and dreadful
indeed was the story she told. In
brief. item one: Marvin had been seen
smoking horrid big cigari Item two:
He had stayed half q day with the
loungers In the billiard halt Item
three: He had Joined a card party I'm
a private room at the town hoteli
Item four: A friend had to take him
home from a conviviaI stag party and
Marvin had gone around later, a total
wrecki
The wreck" TO the amazement of
Nellie. put In an appearance the next
day. She was In the garden when he
arrived, and she tried TO look very Sc
we're as he took his place beside her
on a rustic seat.
"well, Nellie" he began, less the
penitent than the solicitous lover, 1--WE
come 10 bid you goodby," and Nellie,
ready 10 deliver a severe lecture. be-
came very anxious-faced.
"YOu see. I've been exploiting this
trial and temptation idea Of yours.
Nellie" went on the audacious visitor.
"As 10 the trials. I'm sure I can bear
any Of them like regular hero IL you
only love me. Temptations ran
right into them. I bIlIlarded and was
bored 70 death. I fiirted with tobacco
and a mild dec0ction In the drink line,
and was sick for two days. Say, dear,
I've tested out the fOllIes that a good
many fall for. and ! can say absO-
lutely-nO more Of II for mel I was
going to suggest that now. as penance
for this little experimental fling. I go
away for say q year. and show what's
In me In business way. Nellie. shall
! COR She hxed her lovely eyes on
his true. honest face. she realized all
the sterling truth and earnestness I'm
that worthy nature, and thsn-as 20
the going away. the third time Nellie
nayton said hin "nayr