The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-04-26

though, it appeared to him, coldly COM
munieated by her relative, the next day
with the additional intelligence, that
her father had been seized only that
morning with paralysis, and that little
hopes were entertained of his recove-
ry! He called constantly at the cot
tage but it was not until sometime
after the bereavement, which Margaret
above all, lamented, that he saw again
the being for whom he felt more inter-
est than ever. III Pei hGt bsafSsl1
There are peculiar circumstances
which train our susceptibilities to re-
ceive impressions, and misfortune eth
er softens the heart; the incapacity of
her mother, the volatility of her sister
rendered them. both unfit companions
for the high-minded Margaret; and
she might well be pardoned for antici-
pating the evening thatnow invariably
brought Ernest to the cottage, as time
when, free from toll and restraint, she
would meet the sympathy and tender
ness without which woman's heart
must be sad and unsatisfed.a She was
not, like many other wise and prudent
people, at all aware of the danger of
her position. She had no idea that,
while seeking to alleviate or dispel
sorrow by what she termed friendly
converse, deep and lasting feeling
was silently, bat surely, implaIting it.
self in her bosom, and that time and
opportunity were fostering it, either for
her happiness or misery. Her girlhood
had passed without any of what we
may call the frippery of love. How
she had escaped the contagion of flirta-
ton, is wonderful Perhaps it might
be attributed to certain reserve of man
ner, which served as beacon of fools
and puppies, to warm them off when
ever it was their fortune to encounter
Margaret Sunderland. s.53s fsl9s 1
Among the wealthy citizens many
had sought her hand but she was
not to be courted by golden shower |;
and after her fathers failure none re-
membered the beautiful daughter of
the unfortunate merchant; it was,
therefore, not to be wondered at, that
she valued him who valued her for her.
self, and herself only-and dreamed
the dream that can be dreamed but
once! M lta en os
Many evenings were spent in that
full and perfect trustfulness, which pure
and virtuous hearts alone experience.
So certain indeed appeared the pros
pect of her happiness, that she some
times doubted its reality; and when a
doubt as to the future, did arise, it
pressed so heavily, so very heavily, up
on her heart, that with a gasping ca
gerness which excited her own aston
ishment, she cast it from her, as bur-
den too much for her to bear.
She had known and loved Ernest for
some months, when one morning their
only servant interrupted her little
school, by saying that a gentleman in
the parlor wished to speak to her. On
entering the room, short, dark, elder
ly man returned her graceful salutation,
with an uncouth effect at ease and self:
possession. ffsf 10 legofasq s.li ref
Miss Sunderland, / presume ?"
She bowed; long pause succeeded
which neither seemed willing to inter
rupt; and when Margaret raised her
eyes to his, there was something-she
could hardly tell what-that made hel
think him the bearer of evil tidings
Yet was the countenance not unpleas
ing to look upon-the expanded and
somewhat elevated brow-the round
full eye, that had rather benign than
stern expression, would have betokened
a kind, and even gentle being had not
the lower portion of the face boded
heaviness and severity the mouth was
thin and compressed-the chin lean
and short-the nose looked as if nature
had at first intended to mold it accord
ling to the most approved of Greciar
features, but suddenly changing her plar
left it rude piece of unfinished work
manship.
"Madam," he at last commenced
"you are, | believe, acquainted with
my son."
"Sir!"
My son, Mr.. Ernest Heathwood p
Again Margaret replied by bowing.
C have resided many years abroad
but if your father was living he. would
know me WELL"
The word s.father" was ever a tails
man to poor Margaret, and she looked