The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-23
BIDDEFORD, ME-, FRIDAY


II not for the watchful, loving Lord above
who turns troubles to our good; for, aftel
all. Maggie's sorrow developed her char
acter and made her more than she would
have been had. her life been without O
cloud.
Later in the afternoon behold Nell and
Maggie, lovely in their fresh muslins, re.
cciving and entertaining the guests, among
whom ilourished Tom and Fred. Just be-
fore going in to tea Nell managed to draw
the latter aside, and tell him of the button
hole boquet of moSs-rose buds, which made
the young man glow with delight, and
give Nell look of rapture that did not
make her stout little heart fluttcr n bit, be-
cause she knew that he saw nothing but
Maggie's face i'm the midst of moss-roses,
though at that moment Miss Maggie was
on the piazza with some young ladies and
Doctor Blythe, who afterwards made her
more trouble than either he or she thought
of. Doctor Blythe was draper little
body, full Of fun, and rather fond of prac-
teal jokes, never losing the least oppor-
tunity in that way.
At the proper hour the party filed into
tea-room, where Aunt Peggy sat Mt the
head of the table, beaming smiles Of well
come on all, and flanked by two stout do
mestics, who were all readiness to hand
about delicious cups of tea and coffee, and
the more substantial parts of the enter
ment. Nell saw her guests well disposed
Of. and managed to have Tom at good
distance from Maggie, who had been es-
corted in by Fred. Much laughing and
talking prevailed; If there was not much
wit, there was plenty that passed for 1t,
and that answered all purposes. In the
midst of il all some one called out to Fred,
"Why, Fred! Iheard this afternoon that
there was an idea Of your going to China
for several years, and that you were to
start at once. Is that true'"
Maggic's heart gave great thump, and
she listened breathleSsly for the answer.
"My uncle does wish me to 90. i had
letter from him to-day, and am to decide
by Monday. If l go, Imust start for New
York then and sail on Wednesday; but !
have not yet decided"
"Dear met" said Aunt Peggy; "that is
short notice; to get the news on Saturday
and have to say yes orno by the next Mon
day. The young folks will miss you n
deal If you so, and so will the old folks,
too"
Here arose general chorus protesting
that he must not 60, they could not spare
him-all joining with the exception of
Maggie, who couldn't speak. and Tom,
who wouldn't; for Tom, with all his hopes
had an uneasy feeling that although he
would miss Fred quite rs much rs the
rest, it would be in totally different man.
ner; therefore he thought it would be rs
well for Fred TO improve his knowledge Of
geography and gain some information in
regard TO China and the customs of its in
habitants. In the midst Of the talking
Fred managed to say, in an under-tonc, to
Maggie,
Somebody else will decide for me, If
/ get get the button-holc boquet, I'll un-
derstand that means stay. Don't you
you think l ought to have 1t, when 1t was
made on purpose for mc'"
All of which was Greek to poor Mag
gie; and she did not dare TO ask for an ex-
planation, for her breath was coming and
going in such iluttering way that she
would not be- able to control her voice.
So she sat mute, while many of the others
were eagerly talking to Fred; and Tom,
regarding her from distance, was sure
she would have preferred having him by
hcr-Tom being possessed of n good share
Of sclf-conceit.
When tea was over they focked back to
the parlor, where dancing soon COM
menced. But things did not so well with
the unfortunate lovers. Fred had jealousy
and obstinacy tolerably well developed on
his handsome head; and these undesirable
bumps Just Mt this time rather ruled over
the other bumbs; the consequence of
which was that he determined to say no
more till Maggie made move and gave
him the flowers, or told him she would !;
while she-poor little dear-would gladly
have gratiiicd him had she known ut all
what he wanted; but she was far too tim
III to ask him. Then Tom got possession
of her. and silly little flrt got hold of
Frcd-a girl he didn't care fig for; and
the two (Fred and Maggie) were about rs
miserable rs any other two would have
been under like circumstances.
At the close Of the evening Maggie
stood near windew with a young friend,
u delicate girl, who looked with admiring
eyes on the boquet Maggie held in her
listless hand. and exclaimcd:
..Oh. what lovely moSs-roses!"
would you like them, dear?" said
Maggie. Take them home with YOU"
Poor child! she was sick of the flowers
and all else. The young girl took them
with delight; and her brother who was
standing by tall Ned Stone. said, "rll put
them in the buggy for you while you get
ready, Mary" So Mary handed them
over. and Ned bore them away. for he was
n jewel Of brother, and his delicate sis
ter was the apple of his eye.
Now Doctor Blythe was out on the pi-
azza, cooling himself after vigorous vir-
ginia reel. In the clear moonlight he saw
Ned deposit the flowers in a basket in the
back Of the buggy, after which he returned
i a. tba hnp.a H.ro ,,..,.