Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-07-02

tened disdainfully as he lay lounging on
the sofa, with eyes half closed. Mar
garet saw and understood perfectly, but
answered nevertheless 1t was only
what she expected. There was no reason
why she should not be content to have it
so. She had not even pang of morti6-
cation.
A few days after Adelaide bounced in
on the Derwents most unexpectedly.
"Where is Margaret l want Mar
garrett" was her salutation. maggie,
we want you to come and help us. Mann
MA is Ill with the rheumatism, and |,
you know, am wretched nurse, and
have my hands full with her and
don't want any of the Polly Prys of the
village. Come and stay week, will
YOU.
Margaret had popularity not often
developed in heroines-a willingness to
oblige. She might have thought in her
heart that George Leighton would prove
no very gracious patient! but she went,
nevertheless.
George, on his part, was lying in wait
for her, Adelaide having extoled her as
so practical, and the best nurse in Sta
pleton; he had expected to be lecturcd
and tutored to be dosed and deafened
with receipts and prudential maxims
but Margaret was repose itself. She
would read to him if be would allow her !;
she was strict in enforcing the Doctors
directions otherwise, she was much
like the atmosphere. Her care sur
rounded him, yet he scarcely felt her
presence.
| He observed, as she sat quietly near
the sofa working, thatsshe had white
hands and lively little fingers. He fell
to studying her collar and cuffs, and all
the exquisite details of her neat dress.
Then he began to speculate if, when she
sat there quietly, she could be thinking
Could she think in the true sense of the
word =? He fancied that her eyes and
forehead answered yes, and that her
mouth assured him that the thoughts
were pure and sweet.
| He resolved to use his privilege as
patient to make her talk
"Why are you so silent p he com
menced, abruptly. Don't you know
you should amuse me 2"
THAT is not my fault | am coed at
administering medicines and arranging
sofa pillows"
II am not sure; but one thing |
know-you are letting me worry my
self into nervous fever, trying to find
out if there is anything in that heart of
yours"
"Mako yourself easy, then. I can
assure you there is not"
II do not believe it. If that had
been the case you would have been more
shy in avowing it."
Il mean nothing that will interest
you"
How do you know what will interest
me /? You have no right to jump at
conclusions"
Margaret was not to be browbeatcn
into loquaciousncss, so she sat mute.
IL beg PARDON" went on George
81 know | am savage; but pray have
pity on me. You can never guess how
it gals and wearies me, lying here. an
| invalid. | am sure you are sensible.
Won't you shed a little of your light on
me 7"
This was too much. Margaret burst
into a hearty laugh, and the ice was
broken. From that time she and George
| Leighton met-not as strangers spying
out the land-but with the hearty cor
diality Of those who know that they
have something pleasant in common. 1t
was astonishing how Georges GONZALES
cence was prolonged, and how ilnpossi-
bic it was for any one to anticipate his
wants, with the exception Of Miss Mar
garct Derwent. 1t was equally astound-
ing the change that had occurred to her.
People said
"Why, Maggie Derwent is blooming
out at last, and growing rosy and hand
some. | declare, if she inst handsomer
than Sarah, now she has that sparkling
look and bright way with her. | don't
see what has come over her."
George leighton knew, however; and
smiled, after hearing such remarks, into
Margaret's eyes, with triumph that
puzzled her little, though she troubled
herself very little about it. or with any
thing at that sweet time All things
mortal have an end, though, and so had
Georges conyalescence. lie was quite
able now to ride and walk, aud, of
course, one of his first visits was at the
Derwenfs house.
There he saw Sarah, and seemed
struck with her beauty. Margaret saw,
and gliding into the background which
was always assigned her at home,
watched him. She had seen all the
other young men of Stapleton whisper
ing soft nothings in Sarah's ear, and
forgetting her, and had thought nothing
Of it. Why she was TO care now passed
her comprehension 1t was none Of her
business. She had no right to exercise
surveillance over his actions; yet she
could not look at him with the same
clear, friendly eyes, she could not speak
in the same tones when they Glanced to
meet, which was seldom, for he devoted
himself each day more and more to
Sarah, and she each day retired more
within herself, and sought more fire.
quently the shelter Of her own room.
In this way three weeks passed on,
and june came, fragrant and glowing.
And one afternoon Margaret started for
walk on the seashore, which she had
frequented much of late.
Presently step came close, and a
] n III l.. L.