Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-03-16

-Four months had passed since Mrs
Owens death, and her son was stil
staying at Woodlands. the residence 0
Mary's father, Colonel Parker, at abou
two miles distance from Edward Owen
solitary home; hither had he beef
prevailed upon to remove, after the frs
shock of his grief had subsidized.
Colonel and Mrs. Parker were kind
hearted people, and the peculiar situation
of Edward Owen appealed to their bes
feelings, so they made no opposition t.
their children devoting themselves un
ceasingly to him, and striving by every
innocent device, to render his afllictior
less poignant and oppressive. But kline
as all the family were, still all the
family were as nothing compared to Mary
who was always anxious to accompany
him in his walks, seemed jealous of hel
privilege as his favorite reader, and
claimed to be his silent watchful COM
panion, when, too sad even to take an
interest IN what she read, he leaned
back YEARLY in his chair, and felt the
soothing influence of her presence AS
| time wore on, and some of his old pur-
suits resumed their attractions for him,
she used to listen for hours as he played
upon the piano. She would sit near him
with her work, proposing subjects for
his skill, as her old custom had been
or she would beg him to give her les
son in executing difficult passage, and
rendering it with due feeling and ex-
preston. In the same way, in their
readings, which gradually were carried
on with more regularity and interest,
she appeared to look upon herself as the
person obliged appealed to his judg-
ment, and deferred to his opinion, with
out any consciousness of the fatigue she
underwent, or the service she was render
ing.
One day, as they were sitting in the
library, after she had been for some
time pursuing her self-imposed task,
and Edward, fearing she would be tired.
had repeatedly entreated her to desist,
she answered gaily:
- Let me alone, Edward 1t is so
pleasant to 60 through book with you !;
you make such nice reflections, and point
out all the finest passages, and explain
the difficult parts SO clearly, that it does
me more good than dozen readings by
myself. I shall grow quite clever now
we have begun our literary studies"
Dear Mary. say rather, ended for
you know this cannot always go on SO.
| must return to my own house next
week; | have trepassed on your fathers
hospitality, indulgence and forbearance
too long"
Leave us, Edward p and the color
deepened in her cheeks, and tears stood
in her bright eyes. " Not YETI
mot yet? The day would still come,
dearest, delay it as | might, and is it
manful thus to shrink from what must
and ought to be? / have to begin life
in earnest, and if l fulter at the outset.
what will be the result | have
arranged everything: Mr.. Glen, our
clergyman, has cousin, an usher in a
school, who wishes for retirement ard
country air. have engaged him to
live with me as companion and reader.
Next week he comes; and then, Mary,
farewell to Woodlands ="
No, not farewell, for you must come
here very often; and | must read to you
still, and you must teach me still, and
tell me in your own noble thoughts and
beautiful language of better and higher
things than | once used to care for.
And then our walks-oh, Edward, we
must continue to see the sunset from the
cliffs, sometimes, together. You first
taught me how beautiful it was. I told
you of the tints upon the sky and upon
the sea, and upon the boats with their
glistening sails, and you set the view
before me in all its harmony and lowell
ness, brought it home to my heart, and
made me feel how cold and insensible
had been before"
"Ah. Mary" said Edward, mourn
fully, "neoryou am no longer blind y
The book she had been reading fell
UNDECIDED on the ground, she trembled,
her color went aud came, as she laid her
hand timidly on his arm; understandable
tenderness, reverence, and compassion
were busy within her soul.
Edward, you will not change in
anything towards us this new COM
panion need not estrange you from your
oldest and dearest friends Let me
always be your pupil, your friend, your
your sister p
" Sustainer, consider, guide Sister
above all oh, yes, my sister Best
and sweetest tittle-say it again, Mary,
say it again!' and seizing her hand he
kissed it passionately, and held it for a
moment within his own. THEN as sud-
denly relinquishing it, he continued in
an altered tone, I" Ny sister and friend,
until another comes to claim higher
privilege, and Mary shall be forever lost
to me J"
She drew back and few inaudible
words died away upon her lips; he could
not see her appealing, fearful eyes. Mis-
taking the cause Of her reserve, he made
strong effort to regain composure.
DO you remember when you were a
child, Mary. how ambitfously romantic
you used to be, and how you were deter
mined 10 become a duchess at least p