Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-03-09
MAGGIE,s SECRET.

AARRIAGE.-The great astrologer. Signor Nor
lNl gani, Will return correct likeness OF your IN
ture partner upon receipt of thirty stamps. Name
age, and sex must be given. with a slight dsscrip
tion of personal appearance. Address Signol
Morgani &C., &C.
"And this is your advertisement, Nor
gan? All we'll II suspect your dupes are
principally old maids and school girls"
The speaker, young man of about five
and-twenty, threw down the local paper
with merry peal of laughter. He was
very handsome, with fine dark eyes, that
sparkled beneath the long lashes with al
most boyish glee. The person addressed,
known in the advertising columns as the
Signor Morgani, was no other than GER
tain plain Tom Morgan, regular slip-shod,
careless fellow, who, after trying his hand
at various trades, and failing in all, had
finally hit upon the above mode, which
gratifed his indolent disposition, by call
ing forth little exertion save the exercise
of that literary ingenuity of which he
possessed large share. He had formerly
been a school friend of Jack Carleton's,
who, an hour or two before the opening
of this story, had fallen in with him on
his return from Continental tour, under
taken nominally for the benefit of his
health, but more possibly to help to get
rid of the large income left him by his
father.
The young men had grasped hands cor
daily enough when they recognized each
other, and soon after adjourned to the
lodgings of Morgan, to have talk over
old times.
1t was during this talk that Morgan
confded to his friend his present mode of
living, with strict injunctions to keep it q
profound secret; "as of course you see,
old fellow said he, sit might prove my
ruin if known"
Jack, however, did not see how his
friend could be in a greater state of ruin
than he appeared to be at present.
"You were always good-for nothing
scamp, Tom" said he.
"And you were always lucky dog,
Jack" returned Tom. "By the by, what
are you going to do with yourself this
Christmas %
"Whyto spend it in the jolliest style at
the jolliest place in Christendom," replied
Jack. "They have not seen me at Barby
Holt for eight years, and expect grand
mother and the rest of them will go mad
with joy when make my sudden appear
ance there.'.s
With this flattering conclusion Mr.. Jack
Carleton elevated his legs till his feet re-
pose on the mantle piece. Barby Holt
Manor, in Nottinghamshire inquired
the signor, suddenly.
"The very same, old boy" said his COM
panion. "Why do you ask?
"Only that I had letter from there to-
day." replied Tom.
GA letter! what about ?" inquired Jack,
with innocent GOODNESS.
'Why, concerning my advertisement, of
course" answered Tom, rumaging among
some papers. r
"Ah, one of my grandfather's guests, I
suppose, in for a lark, said Jack. whats
his name?
ut is nota man." replied Tom; she
signs herself Maggie Barton"
. Maggie Barton!' exclaimed Jack, al
know her--at least did. May I read it ?"
he asked, eagerly.
1t was short letter, in a girlish hand
writing, describing herself as tall and
slight, with golden hair and hazel eyes,
and requesting to be favored with a carte
de gisite of her future husband, by return
of post, of course. Enclosed in the en-
velope was the fee of thirty stamps.
Carleton held the letter up before his
eyes long after he had read it. The writer's
name, Maggie Barton" was associated
with a very pleasant picture in this young
mans mind. Long ago, on bright sum-
ing through the boughs fell on the gay
figures of pic mic party. One figure in
particular seemed very plain in his mem
ory: it was that of a girl about twelve
years old, with her golden hair falling
from under the broad brim of sum hat
with blue ribbons. He could see her dis
tinctly now. The graceful figure, raised
on tiptoe, to reach some unattainable
flower or fruit. The white arms reaching
high, the beseeching eyes under the
shadow of the hat-and this was Maggie
Barton! Then he, tall lad of seventeen
easily reaching the coveted treasure
caught the wilful beauty by the hair, say
ing You owe me a kiss for this, Maggie
Will VIII you :, p pay me whenever | choose te
"I'll pay you dozen, if you like, Jack, ,
was the careless reply, as she broke away
and joined her companions.
But the very next day Jack departed with
out his kiss, for Continental education
and, as you see, Maggie Barton's name wa
almost one of the first to cross his path OF
his return.
And so she was one of her grandfather
guests at Barby, and he (Jack) would Sc,
her in less than forty eight hours and
standing there with her letter in his hand
a scheme entered this young mans heat
worthy of such fellow as he was.
'Tll do it. I don't care for any on
else, and of course she is not engaged, o.
why did she answer such an advertise
ment?"
Morgan" he said, suddenly, twill 20,
do me favor ?"
Anything you like" replied the signol
in Treoccupied tone.
Jack drew an envelope from his pocket
and, selecting one likeness of himsel
from about dozen, he laid it on tn
table 9i.is
Morgan" said he, "I want you to sen,
this to Miss Barton, in answer to her ap
plication; and I mean it shall come true
old boy"
x*
It was Christmas Eve, and Miss Maggi
Barton was putting the last touches to he
evening toilet for the forthcoming bal
She was tall, and you would think stately
till you saw her face; and then the piquan
expression of the brown eyes and the de
mure laughter of the lip led you to sur
pose that she was more merry than digni
fled; and if your observation extended t
her conduct during whole evening, an
sorry to say you would be compelled t
acknowledge her little fast"
She had dismissed her maid and, wit
her pretty head little on one side, wa
trying the effect of a scarlet geraniur
among the ambrosial puffs of hair. O
course, Miss Barton wore a. chignon-al
young ladies do, a.days-and lon
curl behind her left ear Presently th
geranium was settled satisfactorily, anG
with quick movement, Maggie fastene
the door, and drew from beneath boo
cover carte de oisite;; and the gentlema1
on the card was Mr.. Jack Carleton.
But, of course, Maggie did not kno,
this. The very existence of such perso
had long ago escaped her memory; an
even had she remembered the name
would have been difficult to associate th
stripping of grandfather's picnic, with th
elegant, moustached, young gentleman be
fore her.
In truth he was elegant. Leanin
against carved pedestal, upon the top 9
which reposed the most stylish of New
markets, in company with a graceful vas
with dropping flowers, an ample curtain
and bookcase filed with all the gems Q
literature composed the back ground