The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-18
Original 5torp.
Urittca for The Cecil Hhig.
COUSIN BEL'S STORIES; No. 2.
MAGGIE MARTIN.
(Co"tismed from Inst wcek. }
CHAPTER III.

noble bearing and from all that knew Of
him, did not marvel that Maggie found it in
her heart to love him. Early in Autumn, he,
accompanied by Mr.. nartmorc and Martha,
came to take Maggie to the city. He was to
sail in few weeks, and they were to he mar
ried upon the eve of his departure. After
spending week at the cottage, Maggie, Uncle
Horace. and I, returned with them to the city.
Subsequently Arthur brought his mother to
the parsonage. She was fine looking wo-
man. Altho' past sixty, her hair was but
slightly gray, and her face was still fair and
sweet in its expression. Her eye looked sad,
as if it had wept too many tears but gentle
smile often fingered about her mouth.
The morning Of the departure came. A
bright beautiful morning it was. | was awake
at the first peep of dawn, but found Maggie
awake before nc
Look, Maggie, what beautiful morning:
how unlike yesterday
'Ah yes! yesterday was drcary day she
replied, with sigh, then looking earnestly
at me she asked Bel, do you believe in pre-
$cnijmcntSF
Not bit, replied, trying to look very
skcptical, but why do you ask Surely you
have no sad prcsentmcnts just now?'
No, not nor, but ycstcrday-oh yesterday
was such dark, miserable day-any one was
cxcusablc for having prcscntiments. But |
lave felt the same on bright days. Do you
know Bel often feel as if Arthur and were
never to meet again on earth.
Nonsense Maggie; it is but natural you
should feel So
no it is not nonsense: the conviction is so
strong, at times do what 1 will cannot
shake it ofi-and hc-last night as we sat con-
versing, something seemed to whispcr-'Say
all thou hast to say to him now, It's the last
time thou wilt ever sit beside him thus in the
dim twilight. Inspired by the feeling said:
Arthur dost thou ever feel as if we were
never to meet again here7 lie started, and
gazing earnestly in my face asked:
.D0St thoun
lie twined his arm more closely about me
my head leaned upon his breast which
hcavcd with emotion; neither spoke. For
once, Bel, I couldn't cry-my Ecart was too
heavy. At length Arthur said:
Fear not, we are in the hands of Him who
orderch all things right. HOPE end Trust
Dear Maggie
But those dark forcbodings are all gone
this bright morning; l feel SO calm, so truth
full, so happy
Quietly she arranged her hair, then Martha
came to assist at her toilet. 1t was soon COM
plcted c ng simple, as Il brides toilet should
be. How beautiful she looked You have
never seen my Cousin Maggie. Her hair is
hlackcr even than mine, and her eyes arc very
dark. should say not black, but such eyes
as make you forget to ask their color. The
small company were gathered in the raror.
Mr.. ID. with trembling voice pronounced the
those two for life. There was scarcely one
present who did not have occasion to brush
the tears, for it was such a touching, solemn
sccnc-savc Maggic-shc seemed as calm and
tllAiohIl u Stutuc. tIliOlSll SulctlN
shcreccivcd the congratulations Of Mr. ID. and
Martha; but when Arthur's mother, embrace
ing her, whispered Heaven bless thee, my
child, her firmncsS gave way, and she sobbod
upon her bosom. But love not to lingcr here
and Bel brushed tear from her eye
we accompanied the bridegroom to the
ship. Calmly Maggie received his farewell,
and watched the ship move proudly off. Not
until we were alone in her chamber did she
give vent to her sorrowful feelings. 1t had
fccn arranged that Maggie should accompany
Mrs. Monroe to her home for few weeks:
consequently the following morning Uncle
Horace and returned to b alone. This
letter received a few weeks subsequently,:
''I feel like one who treads alone,
Some banquet hall deserted,
Whose lights are fed whose garlands dead,
And all save me departed"
But you would rather DEAR BEL, that
should tell you of the persons and things a.
round me than of the sad feelings and gloomy
fancies which brood within. His mothers
home is humble, even as our own ,npretcnd-
ing cottage. 1t is pleasantly situated half a
mile from the little village of L., and with
in sight Of the stately mansion which used
to be her homo in the days of atilucncc. Yes
tcrday she took me to see the old house; a
wealthy family, (the C-'s,) now inhabt IT..
Mrs Monroe being on terms ofintimacy with
the family, we were privileged to peep INTO
every nook and corner. The room which
most interested me was that which, in other
days, was called 'Arthur's ROOM The view
from the windows Of which, is magnificent.
As | stood gazing upon the noble Hudson, my
thoughts went out upon the broad ocean in
search of the absent one, and they returned to
me sad and weary-and gathered in my soul
whispering dark forcbodings of the future.
We came home, but | could not shake them
oH-ihose dark feelngs-oppress me, they
would As we arose from the tca-tablc Mrs
Monroe said, and she passed her arm cares
singly about me:
You look weary my child, was our walk