The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-06-30
The Gold Cross,

Maggie. because shall split it in two
and keep half for myself
George Wayland looked straight int
Maggie Carrol's brown eyes as he spoke
and saw the sudden glow OF love 10 then
as they met for second his ardent gaze
and then hid under their blue-veined
silk .fringed lids
L shall prize it highly, George, and
the more from the fact that you veal
one half while wear the other
But you will wear it always, under al
cir umstances
Always, under all circumstances, She
replied merrily.
He neatly severed the narrow thin
cross, and fastened one section to hi,
watch chain. .uhd the other to the piece o
narrow bask velvet Maggie had bought
and that be tied for her around her white
throat.
Il like it better than a ring George,
she said slyly; because every one knowf
VINO is engaged by just looking at theil
lett hand
AS if | wouldn't like every soul in
Meadowslde to know had won you, my
shy, browp.eyed darling | am too proud
and too happy
Maggie interrupted him playfully.
Despite the visible jealousy Of u GER
tain lady, who considers me n bold ri
val
Despite even Cora Adran's foolish
jealousy; while l feel several inches taller
than poor Ned Morrison, whom did cut
out numerically, didn't | p
A little shadow passed over Maggie
face, and instinctively she cluug closer tc
her lovers arm.
oh, George, | am actually afraid oi
Ned lately Only last night he said Id
be sorry yet that l refused him. He's SC
morose and sulsn sincc-since--'
She bushcd little, aud George mag
unanimously helped her through.
Since ] asked, and was not refused BY
those sweet lips Never mind Ned, Mag
gle, Naturally he feels jealous | would
myself, under reversed circumstances
But all this has nothing to do with oui
promise to wear the little gold cross whilt
We are separated for these three months
that are so close at hand. But, Maggie
my little girl. if ever the time shoulC
come-mind, | have no idea it will-bu
ii it should come that you want to be re
leased from me, all you've to do is It
send your half Of the cross to me. 1t vii
he the mute token of my misery
Rut Maggie smiled up iu bis fact
chcerily.
IT all the misery you ever anticipate
comes by means of this little messenger,
aud she laid her hand lightly on the gilt
tering trinket, rest assured you'll bav'
little of it But, Sir Knight, suppos,
you weary of my colors? What then ?
He folded her tightly in his arms. aut
kissed her.
AS if could ever change
So the two, in that blissiul. painful
parting that seemed ages to them renewed
their VOWS Tho old, old story, yet evel
new.
The cheerful rays of the astral lamp o,
the round, crimson-covered table, beamec
over Maggie Carrol's white fingers, anC
flashed like a spark Of liquid silver OF
her tiny ihimble aud polished needle, a
her hands flew gracefully over her work
She had cleared away the tea dishes
and her parents had gone TO friends
Little Bessie lay sleeping on the lounge
with the light shaded from her eyes, ant
Maggie. with garment she was makius
for one of her bridal outfits, had settled
happily, cozily down to her evening
work, thinking, with every stitch she set
of George Wayland, by this time out il
Omaha, where be would make q goo
maoy hundred dollars in putting the ma
chinery ip new mill-mouey that woul'
start them so nicely housekeeping.
Maggies peasan. reverie was dissipa
ted by an impatient ray on the sttini
room door, followed, before she could un
iasten her work from her knee, and 60 t
the door and opeh it, by Ned Morrison
Don't get up, Maggie; can 6ud
chair for myself. have been here ofte
enough to make myself at home, havn'
L? for all don't appear to be particular
ly wanted
Maggie's cheeks famed at the nsinu
1 ated want Of hospitality, but she yer
pleasantly arose and placed chair nea
the fire.
% no, Ned; you only imagine "
don't want to see you. Sit down. Ain
you cold ? Mother and father are gone
Il don't care where they are gone.
came to see you, and none but you
He drew his chair away from the Gre
and near the table where Maggie sat.
We'll, Ned, here am for you to sec
Sne was determined not TO allow he
annoyance to escape her, SO she assume
from the first friendly, CHEEKY ton,
And it Modified Ned, as she intended
should.
Il was little rongh on the old folk
Maggie but the truth is since-sinc
you aud that Wayland fellow have bee
such friends l see precious little Of yo'
anyway
Maggie could have bitten her tongu
to have prevented the blush she felt surl
ing over her face
Il would naturally see more of my b.
trothed husband than merely frien
Ned, please hand me the scissors.
She did not lift her eyes, but snippt
the thread silently, and went on SEWN
while Ned toyed with the scissors F
Dally, almost abruptly, be spoke:
IN get out aud leave you in pcac
Maggie, if you'll give me one of yor
curls to remember you by
Maggie smiled iudulgeutly, secret
very thankful at such cheap release.
} You may have any curl you wal
Ned, and welcome Ouly you must n
take it as II pledge of banishmeut, Me-
Aud now Maggie laid down her sewir
aud looked into his moody, halr.scorni
face. i wish, for your sake. it had be
as you desire. But as it is not, as | Q
IN ccntort LAT - e, II ha Ior,o,,., W