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

He looked dreadful cast down, and not
like himself ut all. He bid me and your
father good-by, and thanked us for the
pleasant times he'd had here"
At this point Aunt Peggy had little
choke in her voice, while Uncle Peter
availed himself of the opportunity to give
faint groan, with his eyes still fastened
ON Nell.
"And he left good-by for you and all
tho girls" continued Aunt Peggy; "he
said he had no time to 60 round among
them. The next morning saw him 60
of In the stage. He was white rs the
wall. He put out his head rs he passed,
ana just gave one wave of his hand, and
then sunk back as though he couldn't look
minute longer"
Nell's appetite was gone. After q mo-
mcnt she rose from the table, and briefly
saying; 81 am going to run over to Mag
gic's, mother" disappeared.
As soon as the door was shut Uncle Pc
ter exclaimed, with mournful shake Of
the head, "Aly poor Nell! my poor little
Nclly!"
Aunt Peggy surveyed him with sur
prise.
."Why, what in all the world has taken
the manp Why, father, 1t can't be that
You think Nell cares for Fred Bailey more
than friend! You can put that out Of
your mind, and don't 60 worrying your
self for nothing" Then, In lower tone,
'Nell! What bats men are after all!
Uncle Peter having unboundcd faith in
Aunt Peggy's wisdom and truthfulncss,
was much consoled, and applied himself
with q relish to his supper, attending to
his share of 1t and Nell's too.
Meanwhile Nell made her way to her
friend. Her heart sank as she approached
the house. She expected to find Maggie
pale, dropping, heart-stricken; but rs she
stopped on the broad piazza, to her amaze
ment she heard burst OF laughter, In
which Maggie's clear notes rang out.
With wonder she entered the room, and
found her, with half dozen girls around
her, listening to some joke of Tom Har-
dings who sat near her, she, with bright
eyes and brilliant color, laughing merrlly
with the rest. Nell had nothing left to do
but Join the circle, all receiving her with
hearty welcome. The evening passed on,
Nellvirinly trying to exchange n word
apart with Maggie. Tho more she watch
cd hef the more uneasy she felt. The
fait66ui friend could look more deeply i'm
TO that tender soul than the others could,
ind 4he~as not satisfied.
aMaggie," she whispered at last. twill
you come over and stay with me tonight,
or shall I stay here?"
Maggie gave one glance, saw the deter
mination written in Nells face and yield
cd. ~ will go with you," she replied,
family.
After the others had departed, and Mag
gic and Nell were on their way to the
house of the latter, Maggie walked so fast
and asked so many questions relative to
Nell's visit that there was no opportunity
for aught else.
When they reached the house, Maggie
kissed Aunt Peggy In laughing way,
telling her one Of Toms jokes, and then
ran up to Nell's room; but when Nell
went up, ten minutes later, she. found u
despairing figure knecling by the low
window, the head resting on the arms.
As Nell approached Maggie raised her
head. D, such pale wan face she show
ed-thc color gone, the light qucuched!
Nell said not one word; she sat down on
an ottoman by her and gathered her to
her warm bosom. Then the bitter grief
burst forth, not in wild cries, but in heavy
sobs and tears like rain, till Mt last she lay
quiet and exhausted IN Nell's loving arms
Then Nell's voice gently broke the ST.
lcnce:
Maggie! know he loves You dearly.
Why did you let him go?"
Trembling, creeping closer to Nclfs
bosom she replied: "Oh Nell! / too
thought he loved me! But If he did, why
did he leave me so. He never said u
word-no, not a word.
Nell started in surprise. ''rhcrc must
be misunderstanding" said she. "Think
Maggie, and try to tell me all-what did
he say on Sunday?"
Nothing" replied Maggie. 81 never
saw him, though heard some one say he
went up the choir stairs just before ser
vice bcgau; but he was not there"
"Tell me what happened in the eve
ming" said Nell; "he took you In to tea. "
"Yes, but after that we were not togcth-
er at all (; and before we left the tea-table
he seemed different; and all he said to me
about going to China was something ut the
table about another deciding for him; II he
got the button-holc bouquet, he said it
would mean stay; but didn't know what
he meant"
But you gave II to him." cried Nell,
pushing Maggie back to look at her ca
gerly.
"Gavc him what'" asked Maggie, trem-
n n