The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-05-07


that last and awful home ere this grcai
sorrow had come to yOu-the sorrow that
forcyermorc, In lonely hours, and In the
busy world. will point out to you the
white hairs your thoughtless unkindnes:
had silyered, the dimmed and fearful eyes
turned with such depth OF love upor
your face, and In trembling voice 1t vii
name your name, and implOre you to turf
from your evil course. oh, If you coulc
but once again hear that living voice, how
would It's counsel be needed! U vain anC
unappeased regret that will nevermore Dc
still!
Mrs. Jackson knew that to attempt tc
comfort Margaret would only excite
deeper emotion, so she drew her chair tt
the window and resumed her needle
work.
Can that be Mr.. Frank2' she suddenly
exclaimed, as horseman rapidly ap.
preached the house. Indeed 1t Is, and
we thought he was In Londonn
The listless. despondent Margaret start
ed mt this exclamation, and looked will
ill-concealed interest from the window aI
Mr.. Frank Hetherton, the only son o.
Lady Agnes Hetherton, to whom Mrs
Jackson held the office Of companion
and who was at present ayisitor at Hat
field Hall.
Mr.. Frank reined in his painting steet
before the door, and looked In the pleas
ant summer twilight what he. really was
q handsome, noble-minded young gentle
man.
'Are the family ut home, Tercncer h,
asked of the groom who hurried out to Mt
tend him.
'rhey are on the water, Mr.. Frank
Look down through the trees beyant sir
That's Mr.. Charles's boat, and the young
ladies are In it, he archly added.
'Ahv said Mr.. Frank, with peculiar
smile. Come down to the shore, my lad
and take Hotspur back to the stable.'
Turning his horses head towards tn,
water that CLEANED through the trees
and spurring him into trot, Mr.. Franl
soon disappeared In the turn Of the ave
nue., Terence keeping up q running nc
compartment, sadly out OF breath ant
time.
Margaret fingered Mt the window, he
gaze riveted on the path he had followed
The soft light In her eyes, the varyln,
cheek and the hutterlng heart, telling
plainly that Mr.. Frank was more to tn,
young girl than even she herself suspect
ed.
what flighty fellow he has become
IL seems as If he did not know his owl
mind for an instant. We thought he wa,
I'm London by this time, and he intended
to be himself when he set out. Now
know the fond, proud look that his moth
er will give him when she sees him dOwI
there. She ought to be proud'of him, fo
there isn't finer young gentleman In tn,
county. He has the kindest heart, tn,
sweetest disposltion-I could never wear!
talking of him, Miss Margaret, But IN
firing you?
'Oh, no. Go on, dear Mrs. Jackson
Your conversation Is very entertaining
please to continue it, said Margaret, en-
gerly. The soft light still burned in he
eyes, the blush upon her cheek.
We'll, as | was going to say, he will bt
good match for your cousin, Miss Jean
et.'
For Miss Jeanet!' said Margaret, faint
ly, and turned away her face.
why, for who else?' Miss Matilda Is NJ
ready betrOthed. and he Is not over-font
OF Charles's society. Miss Jeanet Is tn
attraction here. Lady Hetherton look
upon the match as settled, of what els,
would make her visitor here. Whcl
Mrs. Hatfield was living there was no In
timacy between them.'
The light faded from Margeret's eyes
the blush from her cheek, and shadow
. fell upon her young life that she felt new
er more would be lifted from 1t.
And continued Mrs. Jackson, appar
emily unconscious ofthe effect of her com
munication on Margaret, Miss Jeanet will
make beautiful bride. Don't you thinl
SOP
Both my cousins are the loveliest girl
/ have ever seen,' Margaret replied, max
ing an effort to compose herself. Il can
not imagine any beauty fairer than !
theirs
'How good you are, Miss Margaret. l
Is not every girl who would be willing b
acknowledge loveliness In others, ant
they relations. But am OBTAINING you
and you having to oversee the dinner
said,M Mrs. Jackson, rising to depart.
Not only oversee said Margaret, .
must prepare It. Mrs. Jeffers, the cook
has fallen Ill, and l must supply he
place.
'Coloncl Hatfield ought to be ashame,
of HIMSELF exclaimed Mrs. Jackson
warmly. TO make menial of his sis
ter's child
Nay, the blame Is more mine than m,
mclc's since I have submitted to It.
Margaret returned. However, to-nigh
shall be the last of my servitude.'
Remember, my dear said Mrs. Jack
son, putting her head In Mt the door aftel
she had LEFT the room, "ris darkest jus
before day.
Margaret waited until she heard he
enter Lady Hethcrton's apartment, theI
closing the door and turning the key, sh'
flung herself upon the bed and gave way
to passionate grief. The kind cordially
of Frank Hetherton's manner towards
herself, so different from Col. Hatfield
ard her cousins repelling hateur, coulC
not but make n tender impression OH tn,
young girls heart that each subsequent
Interview served to deepen, until now th'
fearful truth burst upon her that she low
ed, and her love was hopeless. Her lif,
had always been an unhappy one, ant
why, she bitterly thought, did she 50
fondly dream that Its current would b,
turned from It's gloomy course into th,
blessed sunshine of Faank Hctnerton'
love, and 20 on Its way rejoicing an,
singing forevermorep
On the death of her parents, Margaret
maternal grandmother gave her HON,
I'm Hatfield Hall, where she resided with
her son; and during her childhood hel
grandmother's tenderness was her only
protection from the teasing impertinenc,
of Master Charles. and the ill-will of Ma
tilda and Jeanet, who gave II vent II
spltefiil slaps and pinches, whenever thcil
grandmother placed the little black beg
gar as they contemptuously called her
I'm their society. As the children grew
older. Master Charles no longer cOnde,
scended to amuse himself by terrifying
and annoying her, and his sisters follow,
ed his example. A naughty reserve show.
ed itself on their part, which was met by
the sensitive orphan In kindred spirit
At the age of seventeen. Margaret was q
thoughtful woman, with a woman's cares
Her runcle's housekeeper had married, ant
her duties devolyed upon Margaret. while
her grandmOther's iniirmitics called for a
return Of the watchful tenderness that
shielded her childhood-and faithfully did
she repay her debt Of gratitude and love.
A year before our narration old Mrs.
Hatfield died, and Margaret mourned her