The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-05-02
To Margaret they seemed to brlpe


though her fashionable mother had
long since left it to share the man
sion Of a merchant prince upon Fifth
Avenue. -
Margaret felt no desire to share
the splendor of which the late wild
ow was 50 inoFdinately proud. The
dear old homestead was grand and
good enough for her, ana ali the
dearer, if the truth must be told,
since that jaring presence WAS re-
moved. So she dwelt there quietly,
with 3 maiden aunt for chaperon
and companion; and she alone re-
malned as ever Margaret Gray.
= IL was not, however, for lack Of
offers that she lived this single, sofi-
tary life. Many q loyer had come to
WOO, for brown curls and soft, dark
eyes, and rosy cheeks and Grecian
features, and perfect lips do not Of
ten go begging for a purshaser when
backed by such fortune as Mar.
garet possessed. She had suitors
by the score until it came publicly
to be understood that she would
rather see the suitUrs at 4 distar ce,
or woOing some one else. After
that, no one yenturVd to try his luck
with Judge Gray's heiress, and as
speedily as possible by marrying the
prettiest Of her-frieuds.
Margaret went cheerfully to each
wedding, wishing the hridegrOom
joy, and gave TO the brides some
beautiful and valuable gifts. Eyi-
IDENTIFY she wRs then wearing the
willow, for no one. What could
the meaning CT celibacy 50 deterniu-
ed be?
And the days and years went on.
And birth day came at last, which
showed how the school girl Of ff-
teen was now the woman of thirty
i've.
On that day, Margaret arrangiAs
her abundant tresses before the
glass, saw the first gray hair,
She stopped to look at it with
melancholy smile.
"Ah, he would not say I was too
young, now," she exclaimed.
And just then tap came at the
door, and the servant entered and
brought her a card.
The gentleman is below, Miss
Margaret aud would like to speak
with you, if convenient" said tle
girl.
Margaret looked at the card.
ELLISON STRONG"
The room reeled round and round,
and she turned 80 pale that the girl
was then frightened.
Sure, Miss Margaret, it is i'll that
ye are, and I'll go down and send
the gentleman away"
NO, nO!' said Margaret, recover
ing her composure with an effort
"Help ne to finish dressing, Kate; l
must see him."
Kate with wOman's quickness
guessed something Of the truth, and
did her best to make her mistress
look as pretty as possible.
With the old color in her cheek,
and the old happy light in her soft,
brown eyes, Margaret stole down the
stairs. But at the parlor door a
sudden thought startled and check
ed her.
81 am thirty-five years old to-day,
and he is now & man of fifty. How
can l hope or fancy that he has re-
membercd me all this time as 1 have
thought of him."
A little sobered by this misgiying,
she opened the 'loor.
She looked for man almost a
stranger; man bentand bowed with
the cares Of twenty years; man
whose ststutesque beauty gone as if
it had never been.
And she saw before her Ellison
Strong as she had seen him the very
day of their parting twenty years be
fore. Stately and as erect as ever,
with a brilliant color on his cheek,
and his blue eyes flashing with all
the Gle Of early youth, and not
trace of care or sorrow to mar beau
" which she remembered so well.
He sprang to meet her, and took her
by the hand and looked down into
her eyes with a searching, almost
imperious glance.
Margaret" said the deep, sweet
voice, whose music was unchanged, |
Il have staid away from you a
whole lfe- time; and at last, the
craving to see or. hear Of you grew
too strong to be deRied. / came
here expecting TO find you n happy
wife, with your children at your
knee, and here you are solitary and |
alone, though young and beautiful
as ever. How is ihatY'
She could not answer with those
jeep blue eyes searching her droop-
ing face so intently. But a deep !
crimson blush rose slowly to her
.heeks and spoke for her far more |
than even words could do.
Il left you twenty years age, my /
darling, because i was a poor man /
lpd fifteen year, your senior. l am
.ich now but what about the years, |
Margaret? They haze made me no |
younger. 1 am fifty years old, to
lay.
Margaret, you liked me then-can
-ou love me nOW-will you be ms /
yife?'
For an answer she lifed her lips to
lis.
Twenty years ago, you would not
Iiss me; you bade me keep that first
Kiss for the msn 1 was to love and
marry. / have Kept it for you twen
y years. Will'you take itnowY'
He held her closely TO his heart
n silence.
Thirty-five aud fifty years Of age
Does it seem absurd to yen, young
adv Of sixteen? All me! ] some
lines wonder II people ever really /
Know how to love before gray hairs
,egin TO come to teach them.
John Presswood has confessed 1
hat be murdered Mrs. Billings, but 4
protests that he did not intend to
- Gov 4