The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-25
Original 5torp.
Urinea far The Ceca Wing.
COUSIN BELLS STORIES; No. 2.
MAGGIE MARTIN.
BY MAtpE.
(Coad"dcd)

BY MAI DE.

the next three years, giving you only a pass
ing CLAN e at the principal events, Aycar
subsequent to Maggie smarriagc [ ncle Horace
died, and the cottage remained uninhabtod
Tor many months. After that sad event,
Maggie divided her time between Martha and
Mrs. Monroe. Arthur had been successful
his most golden holcs were realized. His
mother no longer lived in the lonely cottage
Int was once more the mistress of the stately
home of other days. And now Arthur was
daily expected, how eargcrly looked for the
hastily written scrawl which should convey
the joyful intelligence: Arthur is come y The
lon.-!ook cd for missivc came at last; Ecrc it
is:
DEAR BEL-Arthur is no more, and am
dcsolatc-hrokcn hearted. The world has
grown suddenly dark-all dark; not ono
star is left to guide my shattered, shpwrcck-
cd bark Life no longer seems worth the az
ing-cxistcncc has become burden. know
it is wrong for me to talk thus, but oh what
is the world to nc-what is life ? bcrclt of
him who was my life--my world But let
me go back;-look with me, dear Bel, int
the deep darkness. They tell me itThaS been
but few days-not yet n wctk-but oh TO
me it seems an age of wcarincss-a life time
Of misery. The ship was due: we watched
for him every day with increased hope and en-
pcctation. 7 Each morning we placed fresh
flowers i'll his room, and at evening sighed TO
think they would fade ere his coming. 4
wcck-a fortnight passed, yet no tidings We
grew anxious, nervous and fearful. Those
old presentimcnts; those dim forcbodings come
back, and lowered sadly over me, whispering
dark and terrible things Oncnight dream
cd that with his mother stood upon the sea-
shore. | thought the ocean was so smooth
and calm, it was like a sea of glass and as
we gazcd out upon its surface we disccrncd
dark object. 1t Heated nearer and nearer, till
finally we discovered il. to be man; and then
it came close to our ftct-and oh Bel ii wus
.ifthT. | sprang forward and awokc.
dressed hastily and sought his mothers room
She was awake. ! threw myself upon the
bed, sobbing and murmuring 'hc is dead
tcad--buried beneath the cold, dark waters:
saw him in my dream last night-it was 10
dream, but a terrible reality
'And |, too saw him in my dreams not
dead but alive and looking so happy. Cheer
mp, Maggie, and will tell thee my dream. !
thought We were TO havca wedding; The house
was brilliant with lights They were all here
Henry and his father, and many old ramil
lar faces, which Lave forycars been moulLcring
back to dust: all seemed so gay-so happy.
sat with the guests awaiting the entrance
of ,hc bridal party: they came; how beautiful
he lookcd-Arthur | mean-as he entered
with his bride upon his arm; there was such
heavenly smile upon his face. But, how
singular, thought the bride was not thee,
but poor Mary, as she looked years ago..
Cheer me thy dream, dear mother, only
increases the feeling that he is dead Ere this
he has met his long lost Mary. oh Mother !!
Mother. how can bear this anguish?
1t was in vain she strove to soothc and COM
fort; i'll vain she babe me hope. Towards cv-
,ning Mr.. Dartmorc and Martha came with
the intelligence that the ship was lost and all
on board persisted. save some half dozen per-
SONS who We're picked up by passing vessel,
but he was not among the rcscured. Down.
down in the dark caves of the ocean lies the
S;lilencd corsc ofmy beloved. Oh the agony
of that thought strive to banisl-to drive it
hence, but it will return to madden me with
its fierce pain Come to me, Bal-thy pres.
,ncc may comfort me. would go with Mar
tha-but cannot llavc his mother now. Come
do not dclay.-MAGGlE.'
went. 1t was night when arrived. Mrs
Monroe met me in the hall and conducted me
to my room. The walls were high and dark
and the passages dimly Lighted, which pro-
'luccd gloomy effect This is the last place
IN the world for poor Maggie, thought I, as
proceeded to my room. In answer to my in
quirics Mrs. NJ. said
y on shall see her soon, but first take some
refreshments, for you must be fatigucd. Poor
Maggie she is sadly changed
When we entered Maggic's room, she sat
rocking herself to and fro, singing a low, plain
tive song. She did not look up. Mrs. NJ.
laid Eer hand upon her arm and said:
Maggie, child, one of your old friends has
come to see YOU will you not speak to Bd.'
Then she sprang towards me with low
cry of joy, and wound her arms about NV
neck saying:
'oh Bel, I'm so glad you have GOMEZ
feared YOU would not arrive in time, for we arc
TO be married carly in the morning'-the clos
Ing part of the sentence she whispered in my
car, then she resumed aloud:-'you arc not to
20 back to school again but come and live
with papa: poor papa, fear he II miss me SO
much
At first was bcwildcrcd, but then the truth
dawncd upon mc:-NIagsic had lost her rca-
Son-'Sadly changed indeed. How pale and
thin she had grown; her hair hung neglected
about her face, and her dark eyes flashed with
insane brightness 1t was with verysheavy
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