The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-01-11

ton. haunted her INCREASINGLY She seemed
to fpel that IL would be sinful TO recover from
SO great sorrow; and conscious how much
dearer TO her than the tenderest Of fathers
another had become, che tried to atone for
this by banishing that other from her thoughts Is.
For three or four months could not prevail
uponeoAer to see Captain Cameron, though he
called constantly and looked 80 honestly un.
nAppy that my heart ached for him. conio
not for a moment doubt that ne loved Mar.
garet; and ii seemed to me so natural
that any one should love her, ina, never
even conEec ted this fact with that OF her Tor
tune till heard some common place remark
CT the kind from a gossipInS neIghbor but,
after all, it did OF course make great differ
ence to the young officer, who, though man
OF very good family, was poor, and had ex-
pehsiye habits. He was fine, open hearted,
handsome fellow. less intellectual than nv
Margaret, but winning in looks and manner,
and a great iavorite in his regiment. One day
] made an effort, and ventnred to speak OF
him to her; reminded her how much her 900
father had liked him; how warmly lac
always to welcome him; how plainly l could
read from the very first what was his hearts
wish tor his darling child.
Margaret made no answer, hut she came and
sat long at my feet, hiding her face in her
hands. When she raised IL, her dear eyes
shone in the fire-iIeht with something Of their
old brigh tness When next Captain Cameron
called she did not run away. He was much
moved when he saw her first in her deep
mourning. so pale, 50 thin. The tears rolled
~
two. From that hour. l felt comforted about
her. l knew that hope and happiness would
revive, slowly, perhaps-for every feeling
struck deep roots into her nature-but
surely, tor she was young and beloved. L
could not resist limiting at my cheerful an
tcipations 10 Biddy, in whose discretion L
had nnbonnded trust But she received the
hint with an ungracious grunt, which sur
prised me: for though knew her To be All H.
veterate spinster-having heard her over and
over again give thanks and glory that she
'nirer, since she was as high as her hand, was
one as cared look after the bUys''-l did
think her affection for Miss Moore would
have led her to rejoice in anything that
promised her Il return of happiness; and
told her So. as ii the dear young mis-
tress' happiness" said she, 'that Biddy
Daily would be after thinking lightly OF =
Troth, thin, and Id work my hands to the
bone to bring back the smile Ill to her eyes. and
smsli thanks 70 me for that same. But, ma am
dear it's over soon-oHer soon lntlrely and
I've had MANY Il drame about il; ard I'm rs
good as sure il is not tint way luck Will come.
And what should hinder the young mistress
TO live q II her DAYS as she is now, she that has
the handsome fortin. and need want for moth
ing! Musha, thin, ii were her, would not
look at niyera one OF thim.'' And Biddy went
on with her work with redoubled energy. as
though sweeping away with The dust suitors
and ali such follies. However, in spite of her,
the winter evenings in my little cottage began
now to pass cheeriiy away. Margaret would
again sit and play for hours-always how
ever, closing with that melody of Brethoyens
her ia Their had asked for that last night She did
not very often speak of him, but knew that he
was constantly present to her thoughts, and
that even Captain Cameron s hold upon her az
tections gained additional strength from his
having been so decided a tavorite of poor Mr..
Moore's. OF course, l knew how matters
would end
Time went on. Winter passed into spring,
and the lovers met almost daily; So it was
surprise to me one fine evening in May, after
the two had been walking together, TO
Margaret come into my room radiant but tear
tul and as she threw her arms around my
neck, did not need to ask any further eXpla-
nation than that she gave me by the broken
words, "My father loved him