The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-04-08
THE GOLD CROSS.

You can hardly consider ita gift
Maggie, because, | shall split it il
two and keep half for myself"
! George Wayland locked straight
into Maggie Carroll's brown eyes q:
he spoke and saw the sudden glow o.
love in them, as they met for a see
ond bis ardent gaze, and then hid
under their blue yelled, silken fringed
1 lids.
Il shall prize it highly, George,
and the more from the fact that YOU
wear one-half while | wear the OH
er."
But will you wear it always, un-
der all circumstances
Always, under all circumstances, .
she repeated merrily.
he neatly severed the narrow.
thin cross, and fastened one section
TO his watchchain, and the other 10
the piece Of narrow velvet Maggie
had bought and that he tied for
her around her white throat
Il like it better than a ring,
George" she said, shvly; because
every one knows who is engaged
just locking at their left hand"
"As if l wouldn't like every soul
in Meadowside to know ! had won
you, my shy, brOwn-eyed, darling.
| am only too proud and too happy"
Maggie interrupted him, playful
ly-
Despite the visible jealousy Of a
certain lady, who considers me a
bold riyal?"
Despite even Cora Adrians' fool.
ish jealously; while feel Ned Nor
rison, whom | did cut out unmerci.
fully, didn't ! ~
A little shawdow passed over
Maggie's face, and instinctively she
clung to her lovers arm.
"Oh George, / am actually afraid
of Ned, lately Only last night he
said I'd be sorry yet that | refused
him He's so moros and sullen since
since"
She blushed a little, and George
magnanimously helped her through.
Since asked and was not refused
by those sweet lips. Never mind
Ned, Maggie. Naturally be feels
jealous. / would, myself, under
reversed circumstances. But all this
has nothing to do with our promise
to wear the little gold cross while we
are separated for these three months,
that are so close at hand. But
Maggie, my little girl, if ever the
time should come-mind, | have no
idea that it will-but if it should
come, that you want to be released
from lDe, all you've to do is to send
your half of the cross to me. 1t
will be the mute token of misery"
But Maggie smiled up in his face
cheerfully.
IF all the misery you ever antici-
pate comes by means of this little
messenger" and she laid her hand
lightly ON the glittering trinket, rest
assured you'll have little of it But,
Sir, knight, suppose you weary of
nv colors: What tLen -
He folded her tightly in his arms
and kissed her.
"As if ! could ever change ?"
So the two, in that blissful, pain
ful parting, that seemed ages to
them, renewed their vows. The old
story, yet ever new.
The cheerful rays of the astral
lamp on the round, crimson covered
table, beamed over Maggie Carroll's
white fingers, and flashed like spark
of liquid silver on her tiny thimble
and polished needle, as her hands
flew gracefully over her work.
She had cleared away the tea
dishes, and her parents had gone to
a friends. Little Bessie Law sleep
ing on the lounge, with the light
shaded from her eyes, and Maggie
with garment she was making for
one of her bride outfits, had settled
happily costly down to her evenings
work. thinking with every stitch she
set of George Wayland, by this time
away out in Omaha, where he would
gain good many hundred dollars in
putting the machinery in a new mill
that would start them nice
ly at housekeeping.
Maggie'spleasant reverie was dissi-
pated by an impatient rap on the sit
ting room door, followed, before she
could unfas:en her work from her
thrown and go to the door, it was
knee, open by Ned Morrison.
Don't get up, Maggie, l can find
chair for myself. Eve been here
often enough to make myself at
home, bean't l ? for all l don't appear
to be particularly wanted"