Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-01-09

\ 3AOh MultS dHu puiC IL iOOho' AnN
snow. | wonder if mother will let me go ou
tonight. Size is SO afraid I will take cold
1t is so funny for her to worry so, when [ am
never sick; suppose it's because poor sister
Mary died of consumption. O how cold il
isl" And, haying arrived at this conclusion
Miss Meta turned away from the window
and proceeded to dress for breakfast.
She was saucy, coquettish little beauty.
this heroine of mine, and had admirers in
great quantities, for she was not only gay,
bewitching, and beautiful, but the only living
child of wealthy father. Her conqnests in
society, far from making her proud or vain,
seemed forgotten. the instant her foot crossed
her own threshold, and her pleasant laugh,
gay songs, and bright face were truly the
lights of that stately bouse.
Her mother was an invalid; not so danger.
ously i'll as to alarm her husband and child,
but suffering from chronic complaint that
kept her in her own room years in and out,
so this pretty little sunbeam was the house
keeper. The servants followed her little fig
ure with their eyes as it fitted to and fro in
the big house, and whispered Irish blessings
upon her head for "whole-souled rale lady,
as she was.''
! 1t was not in the gay circles where she
reigned as belle that DR.. Harcourt learned
to love Meta Leslie it was in the pretty,
cheerful room where her gentle, suffering
mother claimed his professional care. Day
after day he found her there, making her
mothers life bright, in defiance of pain, by
loving, gentle care, and joyous. happy con-
versalion. An hour would often fly by un-
needed BIZ Willie as he sat beside the invalid's
couch, and listened to the sweet voice that
made such music to his heart He did not
kno,c, but he guessed whose gentle pity placed
the low easy-chair ready for bis poor crippled
form and the inmost core of his heart thrilled
to the low voice that greeted him and the
touch of he soft hand that led him to his seat.
1t was the morning of the bright winters
day after the night of struggle, and Meta sat
beside her mother, waiting for the Doctors
visit. Her bright crimson morning. dress
suited we'll her glowing beauty, and the little
hands rivaled in wEiteness the soft woolthey
were knitting into pretty shapes. The Doc
tors chair stood ready for him but the long
moruing passed, ard he did not come.
Laic in the afternoon, he called, staying
onlT long enough to attend to his patient, and
then, for the first time, declining his seat,
bowed, and lett the room. Weeks passed,
and still these short, hurried visits were all
that he paid but the tssk told iear(ally upon
him. Tie pale check grew paler, and she
large eyes saddcr; the halting step became
slower, and the bent form dropped more and
more. One, day be did not come; friend
took his place Cdr. Harcourt," he said,
'was i'll, and had requested him to CALL" /.
The strange doctor had taken bis leave, and
Mrs. Leslie lay still, musing, when Meta came
softly TO her side.
Smother !"-thcrc was world of sadness
III her once laughing voice, and Mrs. Leslie
noticed that her cheek was very pale" am
going to see Mrs. Harcour.. II want to in
qure if the Doctor is very i'll. Oh, mother,
mother" The hot tears we're streaming
down the young girls face. -.
"Why, Meta! Meta, dear, what ails you?"
81 was alway; afraid" sobbed Meta, e /
l4.was always afraid he would die, heis. 50 glod,
so fearrgd. so;iliuch lLe
has grown SO paIIii lately, and his face is SO
sad. Oh, mother, what shall | do he dies?'
Mrs. Leslie was utterly amazed. She saw
now how pure her dargiier's love was Tor this
yoarg crippIc-!ikc that of child for a teach,
rr, looking with worship almost upon the WIS
dom and goodness of one i;.r above her, and
never dreaming that her own gay, joyous ma
;nr. could attract one so calm aud good. The
:iiothcr was troubled. The Doctor was Grip.
pic. ard poor III worldly good, and then lie
L.d siren no token of love- spoken 10 word
10 her or tie little soJbiag beauty beside Lc:
indicative oil preference ior ltr above other
women. Finally, like Il wise oman, nc con-
cluted to !rea. tie passion tenderiy. and trust
to time i,r lis cure.
You may 60, certaiay, Meta," she said.
:: Give my regard, to Mrs. llarccurt, ana ask
if !hcre is anything | can DO 10 be oi use"
Again the bright sunlight sircimcl lnIo tie
chamber OF tie young physician. The cheek
that lay upon the snowy pillows OF The bed
mocked their whteHcSs, and the little thin
hand seemed :.ino transparent in til" bright
light. The Doctors eyes were closed, but he
did rot sleep. Light steps crossed the room,
and he heard his sisters voice
"Come in Meta, he is asleep"
Meta Ills heart gave.a hearty throD. but
he lay still then The low voice he loved icii
upon his ear.
I" How pale he is !"
"Yc<, very pale hope this is only weak
ness. As sprng opens, hope the warm
weather will give him strength"
"God grant IL" There was earnest iervor
in The tones. m
@Stqy. here minute, Meta, till l send
Kitty lors medicine shall wantto night"
Tney were alone togolher. The voice he
loved grew trembling i'll its own emotion as
$50 paIc! 0 God, spare his life How
can live it he dies y
Metal"
She did not start, onI, bent over him.
II am herc!"
you love me, me stuntel, crippl'd'-
"Husb -
aCan you be my wife, Meta !? Think what
l am"
so good, so far above me. Your wife Or
Willie, only liye, and will prove to you how
deeply, how humbly love you"
There was not a loud word, only low almost
whisper I'd tones, but she bent over him nearer
and kissed he broad white forehead and the
cripple physician knew that for his hear:
and mind she loved him, and /, had found
his true wife.
STRANGE, YET TRuE.-A gentleman in the
lower part. of this city has 1spendid mlch
cow. She ordinarily gives from two to three