The Van Buren press., 1871-08-01

isn't bit of happiness in this rld.unless
one has somebody to love Ore' And
then | knew the little creature was sob
bing.
Now. that was too bad. What could
[ do2 Nothing evidently What would
Fred do? Keep quiet and allow her to
depart in total ignorance OF his presence.
But that this little episode would leave
deep and lasting impression, !, who
knew Fred so thoroughly, perfectly un-
derstood
"How much pleasanter to spend an
evening here than with all those stupid
folks down stairs!" and the little one
arose from her seat, and began TO survey
the apartment. | knew 1t was all up then
! In second more, a smothered shrek,
quick Il beg pardon, Sir; | thought
was alone!" was waited to my ears.
please do not feel distressed about
it, | should have spoken when you first
entered, but fooIishly imagined you
would be able to leave without observing
me. If it does not make you feel annoy
ed, shall be very glad it happened as it
afforded me a glimpse Of somsthiug nat
ural and spontaneous. p"
knew It was wrong TO stop there lis
toning, but | was actually riveted to the
spot Women always have some excuse
for prying, and riyeted is as good as
any for me.
Are you i'll, sir ?" she inquired, draw
ing little nearer.
mot very," he replied, although
probably an invalid for life. "
The end of this episode is not yet,
thought |. and was right
My name 10 Miss Grilin-Margaret
Griffin. Most everybody calls me Mag
gle, " she went on by way Of introduc.
tion.
"And my name is Travers-Fredericli
Travers Most everybody calls me
Fred, " replied her companion; but |
knew by the tone Of my nephew's voice
that, for the moment he had ceased TO
think of himself and his infrmity. Il
am Mrs Andrews nephew, at your ser
vice "
Let us be friends, she said, sweet
ly; and knew then, just as well as /
know now, that Maggie Griffin IS hand lay
in that of the invalid,
81 don't want to say am sorry for
you," she continued, "because think
there are few who like to be pitied. 1t
don't seem to me that should care about
walking; that is, if had plenty of mon
ey, and somebody to care tor tne, and lots
of books"
But the tremulant in the girls voice
betrayed her, and the next moment she
was sObhing coEVuisivelY Quick stcps
assembled the stairs, and ] moved away
from the threshold very much like per
son caught in the act Of stealing What
occurred subsequently | did not know
until some time after. ] tried 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 n 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 bcwitching strains seem to meet me
in the far corners Of the house, and only
ten minutes before she was sobbing as if
her heart would break.
Il never heard Maggie sing so we'll, !"
observed lady friend.
"Shc 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 Z
The poor child had lot yet begun to feel
its weight.
Heaven help her." l said softly to
myself.
"How did you like the singing, Fred p
asked the next morning at breakfast.
"It was delightful OF all the con
traltos ever heard that was the richest
But who was the fair vocalist for Of
course, she is fair
"A stranger, Fred, answered, care
lessly. glancing at his handsome face
"A Miss GriiIin-Maggie Griuin, ! be-
lieve they call her
His face was like that Of an angel for n
moment; inexpressiblc satisfaction was
depicted on every lneament but it grad
uaily faded. and tic old patient, sombre
look resumed its place. Not another
word was spoken.
For the next two months tfed rocclV
cd many tiny perfumed notes, and l no
ticed that Ben (the footman) made trips
to the postoilice more frequently than
formerly In the meantime, had met
the Young lady on several occasions. and
we became very good friends; but kept
nv own counsel noticed that for sew
eral days Fred had looked exceedingly
s vi and carcworn. Ny FIRST thought was
not to remark upon it, but when | saw
the quiver of the poor fellows lip, /
could keep silence no longer,
"Well, dear, what isiti' asked again.
"Oh, aunt. have been trying to have
another funeral, but the body refuses to
be buried. dug the grave, but the rest
is beyond me.
1T seems to me, Fred, that if were
in your place. should not be desirous
OF taking on myself the duties Of pro-
fessiona undertaken, Whether you can
walk out or not, you have probably q
long life before you; and my advice is, to
allow all the plants which Providence in
its goodness sends to your gardeu--for
some unknown reason, once laid SO desc
latc-to blossom and bear fruit Throw
nothing away which is holy, aud calcu
lated to lessen your burden.
Aunt, what do you mean = he ex-
claimed.
Just then Ben stuck his head in the
door
4, NJ n ,;pr, ,.;ehoe "a eoa Nra n.