Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-31

excuse for prying, and 6riveted" is as
good as any for me.
&c Are you Ill, sir ?'' she inquired,
drawing little nearer.
&C Not very" he replied, " although
probably an invalid for life"
The end of this episode is not yet,
thought I, and [ was right
" Ny name is Miss Grifin-Margaret
Griffin Most everybody calls me Mag
gle" she went on by way of introduc-
ton.
EAnd my name is Travers-Fred-
erick Travers. Most everybody calls
me Fred, replied her companihn; put
l knew by the tone of my nephew's
voice that, for the moment he had
ceased to think of himself and his
infrmity. 81 am Mrs Andrews nep-
hew, at your service.
'Iet us be friends" she said, sweet
ly; and knew then, just as we'll as |
know now, that Maggie Grifin's hand
lay in that of the invalid.
II don't want to say am sorry for
you," she continued, ''because I think
there are few who like to be pitied. 1t
don't seem to me that I should care
about walking that is, if [ had plenty
of money, and sombody to care for me,
and lots of books -
But the tremulant in the girls voice
betrayed her, and the next moment she
was sobbing convulsively. Quick steps
ascended the stairs, and [ moved away
from the threshold very much like a
person caught in the act of stealing.
What occurred subsequently I did not
know until some time after. Itried to
conceal my abstraction and appear as
usual, and was relieved when, few
minutes after, Miss Griffin took her
seat at the piano, and with a brilliant
sweep of her little fingers commenced
the Laughing Song" How she did
laugh, and, how she did sing For a
week after, the echo of those bewitching
strains seemed to meet me in the far
corners ..of the house, and only ten
minutes before she was sobbing as if
her heart would break.
"I never heard Maggie sing so well, !"
observed lady friend.
'FShe really excels herself"
| Didn't know that she was singing
for Fred Didn't [ know that her voice
was laden with love, and heavily laden,
too? The poor child had not yet be-
gun to feel its weight.
=" Heaven help her," [ said softly to
myself.
"How did you like the singing
! Fred?" I asked the next morning at
breakfast.
&c It was delightful OF all the cen
! traltos I ever heard that was the rich
est. But who was the fair vocalist
for of curse, she Is fair.
GA stranger, Fred, [ answered, care
lessly, glancing at his handsome face.
GA Miss Grifin-Maggie Griffin, I be-
1ieve they call her.
His face was like that of an angel
for moment ineZpressible saGisfac,
tion was depicted on every ineament !;
but it gradually faded, and the old
patient, sombre look resumed its place
Not another word was spoken.
For the next two months Fred re-
ceived many tiny perfumed notes, and
/ noticed that Ben (the footman) made
trips to the postoffice more frequently
/ than formerly. In the meantime, I
had met the young lady-on several oc-
casions, and we became very good
friends but kept myown counsel. I
noticed that for several days Fred had
looked exceedingly sad and careworn.
My first thought was not to remark
upon it; but when ] saw the quiver of
the poor fellows lip, could keep ST.
lence no longer.
FsWen, dear, what is it. [ asked
again.
"Oh, aunt, I have been trying to
have another funeral, but the body re-
fuses to be buried. I dug the grave,
but the rest is beyond me. "
cit seefns to me, Fred, that if I were
in your place, I should not be desirous
of taking on myself the duties of pro-
/ fessional undertaken. Whether you
can walk out OF not, you have probably
a long life before you; and my advice
is, to allow all the plants which Provi-
dence In it's goodness sends to your
earden-for some unknown reason,
! once laid so desolate-to blossom and
bear fruit. Throw nothing away which
is holy, and calculated to- lessen your
| burden
EsAunt, what do you mean? he ex-
claimed.
Just then Ben stuck his head in
| the door.
E'Miss Griffin wishes to see, Mrs. An
drews and Mr.. Travers Immediately. +"
1sGood Gracious !" exclaimed Fred
Show her up, Ben" L ordered.
But, aunt, not here. You don't
/ that isl never, you see"
But the sudden entrance of the young
lady put an end to all indecision.
81 am so glad to find you both to-
gether! " she exclaimed, walking
straight to the side of Fred's chair.
''This letter will explain why L am
here. Allow me to read IT. "
E'Please don'tl - implored Fred, rec
egnizing his own chirography.
Very well, then, said she, folding
the note. " But Mrs Andrews, your
nephew and I have corresponded for
two months. / love him and he loves
me- This morning / received this cruel
onte. He has irrevocably determined,
he says, not to allow this love to go on
another day--that he will not doom me
to the life such love will entail Who
ever heard of such cruel nonsense? As
if he had it in his power to put an end
to nv love or his own either!" and
her eyes filed with tears.
Oh, Maggie ~ whispers Fred, look
ing steadfastly out of the window
"you don't know what you are talking
about"
q Yes [ do, dear, p" she replied, sweet
ly. eff we were both poor, it would
make a difference, [ suppose; and YET
I scarcely think it could Youare rich,
and so am i. And, Fred Travers, you
will walk again one of these days.
believe Heaven itself has whispered
that in my ear. If you don't love me-
say SO, and | will go away and never
trouble you again"
" Heaven bless you, darling. love
you more than myself thousand times
over. You shall stay" That is what
Fred said.
What did do ? Looking on moment
at the little figure kneeling beside my
nephew's chair, while he laid his hands
gently on the curly head, thanking
heaven, / know, for the blessings of his
life, L walked out to my own room, anG
had good cry, woman fashion
L. I