The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-24
Misfella
SWEET MARGERIE.
ny Mrs. N. A. pENNIsoN.

Do you see the picture' The frame is
oval. and hangs ON the wall of n magnifi-
Gently furnished room. The face Is the
E,ircst and gentlest that ever gave PEN
sivc greeting To any lookers-on.
Sweet Margerie there is smile on
the round. red lips-a smile In the brown
eyes-an almost passionate sweetness in
the look that enchains your attention.
A rustic gate overhung with multi
tude Of luxuriant vines. etc., back In the
cool. lovely shade and retirement of lawn
trees and garden, made grateful by tiny
fountains. u quaint. old-fsshioned cottage.
on the porch Of which many merry group
has strolled.
In the year 1912. one in passing might
have been attracted by the sight c the
lovely young matron, seated among the
flowers. sewing or knitting, her little child,
girl. with the quaint name OF Margerie,
playing about her-the musical voice
the pretty cries of delight, the clear war
bling snatches Of cradle songs making the
air vocal.
One day gentleman and his son rode
by. Just before they came in the shade
of two great elms, whose green branches
intcrlaced before the cottage-the gate
swung open-a gleeful. mischievous laugh
sounded-a child appeared. her white
arms outstretched. her bright curls tossed
by the wind and the action Of running;
her face looking archly over her shoulder
Mt them flying from behind her. Present
" at the gate stood the mother of Marge-
rie, horror in all her features, her face
ghastly white.
-. for the love of Godr she cried, pit
eously, passionately, then leaned half-fall-
ing against the gate-post-for the horse
pulled back even upon his launches, and
the fair innocent, stricken by sudden ter
ror standing so that IL the hoofs came
down. one of them might crash through
that pretty head. was a sight that might
overpower the bn,vest heart. With q
masterly hand the rider wheeled his horse
still paving the mir. while the boy. lad
of ten. sprang from his own light pony,
caught the child from peril, and gave her
to her mother.
Il cannot-move-cannot speak-can-
not thank YOU she cried, brokenly. still
clinging like n lily in her pale helpless
ness with one hand To the post while with
the other she pressed the little girl to her
side.
BY this time the gentleman had dis
mounted. He came forward, offered his
arm to the trembling woman. led her in
10 the house. and with few courteous
words took his leave.
Papa. did you ever see anything SO
beautifulr cried Philip, when they were
cantering again.
Never, upon my honor! Her eyes
were like the violets-her face like the
white rose.' murmured the elder.
and such lovely hair
4 didn't notice-only the color was n
t,wdy, golden hue
do you think she was running away"
.WhoY
That darling little child?' .sa
-. 1 didn't notice the child
Her mother-I suppose it was-or, IA
ther. il might havs been her sister, said
the boy. struck with something in his ia
ther's voice and manner,-'Gertrude Gills
has n sister rs young rs that little child.
| WAS going to say the mother or sister
was very handsome. IL seems 10 me
have seen her face somew here
You have, my boy, recall your moth
err
q, motherr cried the boy. delightedly,
she does look like dear mothers minia-
ture; why. papa. what strange-what
an extraordinary likeness!
Il wonder who they are3 mused tho
father, his face full Of thought.
.Geaeral yandermere W, uld know, pa
pa; how strange. how very, very like
mamma
General vandermere did know. Sit
ting at his slcndid dinner table, where the
guests could feast their eyes and regale
their senses with exquisite perfume and
bloom. for the windows opened upon u
charming garden. he told pretty story.
George Spencer had been lieutenant
In the regular army. On duty when quite
young. ON what was then the frontier, q
woman had presented herself Mt the for
trcss. Her pitiful story ran thus Her
family had been butchered by the Indians /;
our OF six children she had saved but this
one. Wounded and dying she begged
them To care for the little Emily, then n
child of twelve. That was fifteen years
ago. added the general; George is now
a fine fellow of thirty-five, and has been
married ten years to the then little Emily.
That little Margerie is n lovely child, don't
you think sop
His guest was looking from the window
quito oblivious Of the question; his son an
swered for him.
she Is the prcttiest darling ever saw
In nv life. I'm quite In love with her.
Very well spoken for ten years, said
one OF the company.
Indeed. one may be in love at ten,'
cried the boy ingeniously; papa was. and
he married her too no added triumphant
y.
Philip said n low. panied voice, but
his father smiled-a strange smile it was,
~ the boys startled eyes met his. They
were rising from the table. Philip sought
the general 10 beg that he would mako
him acquainted Mt the quaint old cottage.
But Il won't do II you are In love, my
boy = said the general laughingly.
why not, pray, sir
Because she Is an American lass,c, and
Won are the son Of an English nobleman.
She has probably. no fortune to inherit.
and you have. Your father expects you
to marry among people Of his own rank.
Il don't know. sir.,-the boy had hold
Of the generals hand IS they walked down
the Stone steps into the gArieu-I don't