The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-18

ulu as Sne requested sitting Oh IL low
ottoman beside her. | read but the authors
thoughts were not my thoughts-I read I'M
hcc,lingly, meanwhile listening to the low sad
whispcG'ings of my own heart At length my
feelings gained the mastery, closed the book
and leaning my head upon it burst into tears.
How kindly She laid her hand upon my head;
there was comfort in the touch. and she spoke
soothing, comforting things When at length
grew calm, taking the book from Inc she
said:
we we will read no more to night, but
but you 60 not communicate your thoughts
to me as you should. Did you confide in me
more, You would be happier. 1t is great
comfort when we are sad, or dispiritcd Or fear
full, to tell our thoughts; to unbosoIn Cur feel
ngs. II lisa rcliefto our ovcr-burdcncd spirits,
and then, sympathy strengthens us so much.
Conlidc in me as you would in your own moth
cr, were she now with YOU Am not your
mother: do not already love youas q daugh-
ter? feel so grateful to you Maggie for low
ing my poor desoatc-heartod Arthur-for re-
kintlling in his breast the lost light Of joy.
Thy love, dear Maggie, has rc-awakentd his
oldcn smile ofhappincs' and oh, e;oicci in the
thought that his future life will not he the dark
solitary path had feared. God bless thee my
child for thy love to my darling boy
had often wished to ask her TO tel nc Of
Arihur's carly love, but never quite dared.
Now fclt embodied 10 say:
Thou owcst me no thanks my mother. My
love 70" Arthur WAS not of my own free will.
never said to myScf-'he is d,s,la:c an
weary, and needs my love to comfort and CON
sole, therefore Twill love him But some I'M
seen power competed me to love him; ] could
not help loving him, and would not-but
talk to me of Arthur tell me of his love for
Mary W.
AS mentioned the name her fair forehead
contracted with Il lrown and that soft, kindly
smile, which nearly always fingers about her
mouth, gave place to a stern and harsh expires.
sion. then said:
Forgive me, if have panied you, and for
get the request have just made
Il have noueht to forget, but hers is name
| never mention. cannot think of the dcs
troycr of my sons happiness, with the for
giving feelings, which, as an crrins mortal,
should possess my breast
She was interrupted by rap at the door
and the entrance of Il lady dressed in deep
mourning. Her veil, which was thrown back,
dslla ycd a face so pale, so wan and care
worn that my heart turned pityingly towards
her. Not 50 Mrs. NJ She pccrcd eagerly
into her face, gave her one searching glance
then with that same stern look she said
Woman, how dare you seek my presence.
You, the destroyed ofmypcace-.hc Brighter
of my sons happincss-bcgonc!
The stranger kn,lt at her fct; saying:
'Not for myself would plead, but for my
child my darling boy. Thou art mother
for his sake turned me not away. lie is
fathcrlcss, and will soon bcmothcrlcss twas
his fathers dying rcqrcst-elsc had never
sought you. lie said Go Mary: take our
boy to my mother, her anger cannot alway;
last; she will forgive her cr1ing son- she will
receive our boy, our Arthur
'drihT where is the child 2 and her
voice trcmblcd. ] could 10 longer remain
quict-scizing he, hand said:
Thank you thank you my dear mother,
you will not send her away. read forgive
ness in your voice. Oh do not speak harshly
to hcr-poor Mary-how much she has suffer-
cd already
And 90" plead for her-bc it so-it is well.
Mary, l forgive the past.
But Mary answered not-shc had tainted.
We lifted and laid her upon the sofa When
Mrs, M. removed her bonnet, profusion of
light brown curls fell about her face and neck.
They were the same Arthur had described:
all else had faded; all else had changed-but
the fair curls remained, as fair as when he
used lovingly to Irvine them about his fingers.
These thoughts passed through my mind, as
assisted to restore her to consciousness. Yet
strange to say Bel, they awakened not one
pang of jealousy. All even longcd to press
Il kiss upon the soft ringlcts because then hod
once been dear to him. When Mary was fully
restored TO consciousness we learned that lit
tie Arthur was waiting without. He was
brought in, and as my eye rested upon him
thought-'how like his uncle Arthur and
longcd to fold him to my hcart-but Mrs
Monroe said:
The child is like his fathcr-and she wcpt
as she pressed kiss upon his fair young
| brow
| This is the last letter:
'lhe Autumn rain is dashing half.angrily
against my easement. The wind slghs mourn
fully as with a careless hand it scatters the
faded leaves from the old trees beneath my
window. All
The melancholy days have come,
The saddest Of the year"
Mary has just left me- have learned to love
her very much. She has to-day been telling
me of the past. Not of her love for Arthur,
H.