The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-15
MISCELLANY.
ALIYRG LOVE.
BY MAMIE A. HEPwoRTH.


A bright room made brighter still by the
light of an open fire. My readers mag
ination may not cover the f1eor with Brtls-
sells nor the fulnitare with damask, for |
shall picture MargaretsY oodward's sitting
room Just as it appeared that winter night,
very humble but full of a love and warmth
that were felt as soon as the foot crossed
the door-sill. That certainly was arag
carpet; one thought how comfortable and
clean it looked, conscious that the eye did
not weary in matching Immense diamonds
or become daZZled by gazing at glarlng
bouquets. 1t might readily be guessed
that somebodywho knew Whit tired heads
needed had arranged the pillows of tlIelow
lounge, eneasing them IN soft. cool linen,
instead of the customary worsted work
that is enough to put to fight the mere
idea of sleep; the same somebody must
have draped those pretty chintz curtains,
giving them the grace of q Woman's touch.
There We're. pictures on the wall none Of
them costly, yet an evident taste was shown
in the selection of the schromos and simpler.
photographs little treasures that some
body owned and loved. What delicate,
tender thought had made sweet Evange-
line look. sweeter and sadder than ever be-
meath that trailing moss while directly
opposite the face ofsDckens seemed to
tighten with one of his genial smiles, as II
to thank the love which held him in re-
membrance by crowning his head with the
gayest of autumn leaves! Around an en-
craving twined a luxuriant ivy plant; over
another dropped feathery grasses, and
vases of pressed ferns cast fairy shadows
behind them. A small bookcase contained
the only expensive articles to be seen:
choice volumes that had been handled
used but not abused.
A pleasant room at any time !; perhaps
made more SO by the light of the study
lamp and the open fire already alluded to.
OF little use was the former just then, for
the last number OF a magazine lay uncut
on the table, and by IFS side the neat work
basket stood uHdistur5ed. Margaret Wood
ward was an industrious woman. She
had need to be, and for so many evenings
it had been her habit TO sit plying the nee
ole while her companion talked or read
aloud; sometimes brought his law-beoks
for study, growing stronger IN her cheer
ing presence, and by it better fitted to meet
the task heshad unClertalef.
A year previous, swllen she gave her
heart and herhand IN betrothal to Roger
Ford, love-like, he wanted her all to him.
self: then she said Nay, Roger; come
when YOU will to our home, its door viii
ever be open to YOU; but you know my
life is a busy one, and because now / am
so rich inhaving you, Ieannot neglect 9TH
ers. There is hard work before you, and
it would indeed be sad if / should prove a
hindranee. Ihave brother VIII to do for
he is ready to enter college, and my ener-
gy must be redoubled. We join hearts
now, dear, for mutual help as truly as
though we uttered the marriage VOW, and
81 nt6
treading the .path. duty, Why Roger,
think, instead. it wiIi always be treading
the path together; don't youM
Thus it came TO pass that the young
lawyer found his way to the cottage every
evening. Sometimes he aided Will with
his lessons while Margaret attended to heI
household arrangements, for she was he1
own servant. sometimes when her cheeks
We're flushed from teaching, he took heI
for walk and she returned refreshed, say
ing, asaShey entered the gate: 80 how
kind you are Pm so glad to have some
body care for me "
Then they went to the coy sitting-room,
Where the large armchair waited for Ro-
ger and the dow rocker for Margaret. The
winter evenings gave two hours toward
work, and often a Fair of brown eyes grew
moist withsqahet. happy tears when they
looked up to rest upon the handsome face
opposite, bent so earnestly over the papers
that would some day purchase the little
home the lovers had already built III fancy
Occasionally, TOO, Margaret lelat her bold
penmanship to assist Roger in copying
and then the following day her school
room Wore a brighter aspect as she re
called his. tlanks : The brayest little wo
man he ever lnewi',
But the law-books. did not always cover
the table; many an evening found theil
owner reading aloud or talking earnestly
of plans for the fusure. Once in awhile hi
did wish That work-basket, dainty though
it was, might not fill so conspicuous
place, yet he remembered how every stitcl
counted SO much toward Wills education
for Margaret, not ashamed TO do any
thing honorable, occupied her spare mo