The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-04

ed into the little path which leads to our
mothers grave. When we reached the stream
just the other side of which she slumbers, I
was fan to rest, and lying upon the green turf
| beheld Martha knceling beside me. She
dipped her hand in the clear stream and bath
cd my brow, and then methought she wept
and called Mother! Mother! And l chided
her, saying our mother is in Hcavcn-wouldst
call her back Then 1awokc. Martha was
bending over mc-she was weeping, for felt
warm tear fall upon my face as she Whisper
ed, Darling Maggie, you are better; you will
live, my own sweet sister. But you must
not talk now: lie very still and will sit beside
you while you sleep:' and l obeycd All
when did ever disobcy her gentle voice.
but weary you. Martha renamed until
was able to ride; then Mr.. D. came for us and
brought us to the city, We have been here
three weeks but I'm far from strong yet.
| believe, Dear Bel. this sickness has been
great blessing to me. During my slow re-
coyery l have had time for reh,ction-and I
begin to see how very wicked have been in
murmurng thus. have resolved to fret no
more: but be cheerful and happy as used to
be and as ought to be still. Mr.. d. says
must write no more this morning. Adieun
With the birds and the flowers Maggie re-
turned to her native hills, and in few weeks
afterwards | too came home, to return to
school no more. During the summer Maggie
and were much together. Aunt Nancy be-
ing now domosticatcd at Uncle Horaccs,
Maggie was at liberty to go and come as her
fancy dictated. Her oldcn chccrfulncss had
come back to her; again her joyous laugh
resoundcd through the cottage, and the fields
too sometimes.
One evening we were sitting upon log.
just above the old bridge; had b, en- remark.
ing to Maggie that she seemed very happy this
evening.
Yes, she replied, and am, as SEEM
and yet, continued, sitting close by the
old bridge, to you, the ,eritablc bridge of
signs. Not twelve month ago, you could
not come here without weeping
flush Bl-Im altogether ashamed of
those weak morbid feelings, There is great
deal Of sickly sentiment and foolish romance
about me. imagine great many things
that have no real existence. Most if not all
my unhappncss last summer was imaginary,
or, rather, caused by imagination. Yet with
all my absurdity, Bel, believe I've a tolcra-
bic share of good sense
'Ah Miss Maggie, sit you who thus COM
pliments yourself"
Turning we bchcld the speaker, Frank
May. lie sat beside US convecsng pleasantly
for while, then we stroll,d up the brook
threw pebbles in the water and at length
found ourselves at Uncle Horace gate Frank
declined Mageic's invitation to walk in, by
saying that he was engaged to ride to c.
with friend that evcning-and with polite
bow and graceful wave of the hand he left us.
We stood leaning over the gate watching his
fine figure, as with firm, quick step, he
passed down the same path he had taken
when Maggie last belcll him disappear from
her presence Watching N thus recalled
Maggie's letter to mind, lust as he was
hidden from view by the f. CT, turned to her
and with mock gravity, sad
All dear Frank, how wish I couM love
him but where are the tears Mag, I don't
see them rolling down your poor pale checks
She laughed gaily ending with a half-siyh:
then said:
Il was thinking of that evening and that
wish. don't wish so now Frank, is good;
noble hearted fellow, but he will never miss
my love; he will be just as happy without it
he did not need it, and it was all a mistake
his fancying he loved me. But he mW love
one of these days some gentle blue eyed low
voiced damscl; I can sec her so plainly, and
she will make him much happier than ever |
could
| smiled as I answered: you are an odd,
strange girl, Maggie. Now tell me what kind
ola man your disposition would suit
ANY man who could love, and whom I
could love, but what sort of man could you
love?'
ANY one whom I felt needed my love, and
who could appreciate the same
But shall never marry, Bel so make up
your mndito my being an old maid. saw
great many gentlemen last winter of all sorts
and sizcs-mcnal and morally as well as
physically, from the tall, nobly formed man,
down to the wee little dandy, but among them
all didn't see one l should ever dream of
loring. Nero, my dog, you arc a king to the
best of them'-and she stopped to caress the
old favorite by her side.
10 be Continued.
THE E.:GLIsH AND FRENCH ALLIANcF.-The