The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-10-21
MAGGIE.
BY MARY A. nENNISoN.

90, mother L 90 look beautiful to-
night, is it wrong for me to think SO ?''
''No darling, think so as much as you
please" replied the weakly iudulgent
parent. ENJOY your youth as much as
you can, my child, it is life's gala-day.
Good night, dear-stop that one curl,
it is disarranged; there-now go, and
peace and happiness go with you"
The mother laid indolently back upon
her loungean drew her rich shawl closer
over her form, for she was an invalid,
and Maggie stepped once more to the
glass to take a fnal look. She was jus
tilted as far as human pride may be in
calling herself beautiful Glorious was
the light of her eye, radiant the blush
upon her cheek. She was the child of
wealth, and tho regal diamond shed its
splendor upon her neck, and frightened
the lustre of her pcarly arms. Her
dress of silver moire- antique, over which
fell black lace, spotted with sparkling
gems, heightened her remarkable lowell
ness, and no one could help saying as
she moved to an fro. "what a lovely
creature" And this young girl was
sent thus forth without mother, father
or relative, and in the care of one who
TIL within few weeks was compare
tive stranger. Tripping lightly down
stairs, she stood in the presence of her
escort. a gay, dashing fellow, with great
show of thick curls, and moustache,
faultless set of white teeth, and smile
that set them of to great advantage
With what grace he udvancedl with what
an Irresistible air he took her white
gloved hand, and standing as one mazed
before her loveliness-c charmed, spell
bound, fattered her with silence more
expressive than words.
Tue drive was long one, the night
made charming by the rays of the full
moon. Maggie sat beside her lover list
ening to the words of passion which he
we'll knew how to choose. There was
danger in his voice, in his smile, in his
dark eyes, ard the bewildercd girl
thought as she listened that she loved.
Well was it for her that she said as nc
prayed her for an answer, eve can lose
nothing by one days delay; 1 viii de-
eide to- morrow"
"But, my angel, your father will then
be home, and you know he does not fa-
vor my suit; he cannot bear to give you
into the keeping of another, it is his in
tense love for you, who can blame him
Aud yet leave here broken hearted if
you 60 not With me; my business is i'm
perative, must be in Europe by the
next month, and oh! my queen Of beau
ty, there you shall shine the bright par
ticular star of all created loveliness =
Never will you find more devoted
heart, never purer love, more absorb
ing passion" etc, etc.
Reader, when young and brilliant wo-
men with gallants of a months acquaint
ancc, go to the crowded ballroom, OF
the gorgeous drama, thus unguarded,
whose fault is it if an elopement, life
of misery or shame succeed
Maggie, for once was firm. Though
her heart bounded towards him, though
she reciprocated the tender passion he
confessed, some gentle angel, some pure
guardian spirit bent above and with an
unwbispered caution, saved her.
|
"Go this once, Hal, and I promise
you, I'll be the best fellow ia the world
for one sober six mouths"
"You know 1 never attend balls,
Bob, " was the reply.
"More's the PITY" replied the tho't-
less brother, drawing on pair of spot
less white kid gloves. ~ only wish you
would go just once to see Maggie Gil
derslie-ah but she's peerless crea-
ture." i
Harry Hollis looked up, his dark oyos
shining with a new light as his brother
pronounced the name-"the young lady
we meet at the Lees last week." he en-
quired. s--
1.-THE very same; forgot that you
had seen her." replied Bob, as he sur
veyed himself from head to foot, and
emptied small chased vial upon his
spotless handkerchief "But ah if she
is divine in full dress-what are you
gOingl'
eyes, I've taken sudden fancy to
accompany you," Harry replied. al
will at any rate just LOOK in: though 1
shan't dance" The brothers walked off
together. Long before they reached the
hall, the ringing notes of the band sound
ed upon the air and the festive lights
shone out vieing with the moon. A
crowd of loafering men aud boys>were
about the building, listen
ing, laughing and swearing. A long
line of carriages extended far down the 6
hotel front; the movements of the dance I
could be distinctly heard, and the forms S
of the fair dancers fitting to and fro a
were painted in soft outline upon the '
drapery at the windows. t
Harry Hollis had never mingled in
these scenes of dissipation, his tastes i
fitted him for the more serious occupa- g