Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-08-21

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his pleasure minister to his necessity.
His health, as we know, failed him more
than his fortune for es Margaret had
said, SO she had done. and IN the matter
of a daughter lie was decidedly q much
TO be enyied man. When she returned,
he was sitting in his chair blythe FIRE,
thinking long of her, as the Scotch say;
in her eyes he looked, each time she
cana back, more gentle, feeble, and
shsdowy than before. She busted her.
self about him buoyantly and pleasantly,
as was her wont. a3. -
In quickly told tales like this there Is
no room, as there is no need, to detail
the course Of each day which went to
make up her life. Margaret Merton was
fast growing rich. don't mean that she
had amassed landed property. but she
had for many years been liable to the In
come tax (all English hearts will feel for
her and with her in this respect. Work
was Law. and necessity, but she did her
work easily; it suited her, and her gains
were sufficient to support her father in
great comfort. She was, moreover, much
liked by the families around; her unfag.
ging gaiety of spirit. her quick talents,
and splendid voice, made her welcome
addition to every society. No tidihgs
from Sellon had ever reached her-yet,
in spite of it. she grew happier, hand.
somer. and stouter; she was not a.weary
because he came not; and, indeed, pre-
sented no resemblance to the Marian of
the Moated Grange.
Ten years from the time We last por-
trayed her she entered her fortieth year.
It was winter evening; there had been.
q driving shower of sleet and snow, with.
a keen, bitter, north wind; the foot pas.
sengers in the street were whipped, bin.
ded, and at last cowed by it, and retreat-
ed into their houses; the houseless poor
betook themselves to alleys and door@
ways for shelter. The skies were sullen
and lowering, and dense mass Of pale
gray to the northwest afforded every
prospect of more rough weather. l do
not think any one could look more com.
Portable or handsome than Margaret
Merton, as she sat making the hot coffee
in the snug study. clad in rich garments
of sober hue, as beftted her age and
purse. Her father was still alive, and
was seated in the self>same chair. His
head was very white, and quite bowed
on his breast, and his long thin fingers
beat time restlessly. She spoke only a
few words to him now and then, and they
were caressing, and such as might have
been used to child. AT last she settled
herself in her own lounging chair, cut
open new book, and was soon deep in
il. Gradually the new book found its
resting place on the floor, and Margaret
reposed calmly. There was rumbling
of carriage wheels close 10 the house. and
then halt. But there was no magne.
tism in the air to warn Margaret OF any
one being neer her, more than that gen.
tie shadowy man whom she had tended
for so many years. Then iootstep 10
the hall, and hand on the door. Even
the seven sleepers awaked at last, and
when the door opened Margaret started
to her feet, fully prepared to deny that
she had been otherwise than wide awake.
She heard a deep voice say, "I know the
way" then came face bronzed fiery red,
full blue eyes, not altogether strange to
least she had seen such in
her dreams-a mass of hair, beard,
aud whiskers OF hue which
was pale only beside the face. All this
surmounted figure huge in every way,
but especially in breadth. Margaret
stood wondering-and the figure stood
wondering also. Like the Ancient Mar.
liner, "he fixed her with his glitering
eye," and as he performed this operation
he drew off wrapping after wrapping. and
at length stood confessed as Stephen,
Sellon. weighing at least sixteen stone.
He was not tall man, SO appearances
did not assist him on that score. Then
the blue eyes danced with amusement,
the white teeth showed themselves, and
a hearty. full, sonorous laugh broke the
ice.
"Margaret. do you not know me?" He
stepped forward and kissed her, at FIRST
lightly on her cheeks, and then putting
her back, with another glance and anoth-
er laugh. he followed up that kiss by
many others. and they came SO fast and
warm that Margaret had not really pres
ence Of mind to resist. {" / ascertained
that you were still Margaret Merton. or
you would not have seen me here tonight.
Is this your father"
She led him up to the old man gently.
" Speak tenderIy to him, Stephen, he Is
quite childish now" Something in the
subdued womanly tone Of Margaret's
voice gave Stephen a choking sensation (;
however. be cleared his throat and shook
hands with Mr.. Merton.
The poor gentleman looked up With his