Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-31
NUMBER 2S4.


more pleasant speeches; no one would
think of hernow.
But youth and health triumph over n
great deal of discomfort. Lizzy found her
room so very lonely, that she Joined, of her
own accord, in the studies of the school
room. She scarcely ever thought now OF
her fathers marrying again. NiFt
| Margaret's visit had been of the greatest
use to her in this respect. All her fears
were now lest Margaret should forget the
promised meeting in about years time.
And while she was worrying and fretting
about this, she received letter from her
father, arranging for her the very packet
by which she was to leave England. His
letters lately had been full of plans for her
happiness when She should return to HING
a finished young lady, ] am sorry to say
sheentirely forgot her desire to see, Mari
garet at the end Of the year, so rejoiced was
she at the prospect of returning home, and
\ throwing off the shack1es OF school. which
of late had boon very irksomo 60 hos, T.
question If eyenJohnwas remembered at
this timeOf happy excitement. VI eff.fr
And so Lizzy left school and went away,
far, far over the great swelling ocean to the
bright west, where new stars light the
heavens, and where fire-fes in thou
sands, like living, breathing emeralds, hoat
about on the deep blue night.
The meeting was over, and the farmer
driving his child up the mountain higway
that led to his home. -tr1r
"One little secret / have to tell you,n
he said and Lizzy's eager, expectant face
was turned towards him. 81 have been
married some little time, my child" be,
said, almost three years; but this circum-i
stance win not in any way take from your
home happiness" ..- n
Poor girl her heart fluttered, her cheek
paled, as the horrible reality stood before
| her in its nakedness. The fact came upon
| her with double sadness because she bad so
long forgotten TO anticipate it. She was
positively afraid to ask if it was that hoTri-
BILE Mrs. Dalston. Oh why was she thus
| stricken down at the moment of her jubi-
lant glee? No signals had been hoisted,
not one word said TO warn her of danger;
and here she was with her hopes of happiT
ness shipwrecked! She was so faint and
trembling, she could hardly get out of her
carriage. She saw a white muslin dress
floating behind the window lattice, and in
another moment she was in the midst OF
the gauzy cloud, and clasped in Margarets
arms. .......
"Oh, my dear my dear !" cried Lizzy;
"what happiness to see you here! If you
will only stay with us, it will almost make
amends for papa's marriage" ..-.
IL hope it will quite make amends Lizzy."
Mr.. Boynton said; for this dear Margaret is
my precious wife" 'g
Then Lfzzy burst into a great ford of
tears, and thanked God before them all for
his goodness to her.
All the while you called me 'our guest
Margaret" Mrs. Boynton said, smiling,
~ was your fathers wife. My Christian
names are Margaret Beaumont. Your faith
er feared to tell you the secret OF his mar
riage till you had learned olove your step
mother; so the year l spent in England for,
the recovery of my health was designedly,
spent at Mrs. Markham's.'
Lizzy looked very much ashamed of her
self and very repentant of all she had said
of her father, -. !, .,...ss..,
through her tears. who should walk in but
cousin John! Lizzy's face crimsoned all
over, but she went forward with delight
to meet him. 80
II am quite puzzled" she said 81 really
thought you were Margarets"-she hesi-
tated for a moment, and then boldly pro-
nounced the word ''lover."
"What little goose you were " he sald.
"Of course l thought so," she replied;
''when you were at Mrs. Markham's almost
every day." .5t
Then he bent down, and whispered some-
thing to her very softly. could not eaten
what he said; but the blush was upon her
cheeks again, and then she grew pale, and
saw she was agitated. .-
Lizzy was never more the maynard
Izzy of former days, but sweet and du-
tiful step-daughter; and | am afraid Mar
garet was little sOrrowful when she
gave her up as a happy bride to Cousin
John.