The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-04-13
THE GOLD CROSS.
" manv REED npo,ur11.

BY MARY REED cRowEII.
You can hardly consider it a gift,
Maggie, because shall split it in two,
and keep half for myself"
George Wayland looked straight into
Maggie Carols brown eyes as be spoke,
and he saw the sudden glow of love in
them as they met for second his ardent
gaze, and then hid under their blue
veined, silken-fringed lids.
shsll prize it highly, George, and
the more from the fact that you wear
one half while I wear the other"
"But viii you wear it always, under
all circumstances p
Always, under all circumstances" ,"
she repeated, merrily.
He neatly severed the narrow, thin
cross, and fastened one section to his
watch-chain, and the other to the piece
of narrow black velvet Maggie had
bought, and that he tied for her around
her white throat.
/ like it better than ring, George" "
she said, shyly, because every one
knows who is engaged by just looking at
their left hand
GAS if | wouldn't like every soul in
Meadowside to know had won you, my
shy, brown-eyed darlingl am too
proud and TOO happy
Maggie interrupted him, playfully.
Despite the visible jealousy of GER
tain lady who considers me a bold
rival.n
Despite even Cora Adriah's foolish
jealousy; when I feel several inches
taller than poor Ned Morrison, whom 1
did cut out unmercifully, didn't / 7"
A little shadow passed over Maggie's
face, and instinctiyely she clung closer
to her lovers arm.
"Oh, George, I am actually afraid of
Ned latelyl Only last night he said I'd
be sorry yet that l refused him. He's
SO morose and sullen since-since +"
She blushed a little, and George mag
unanimously helped her through.
sSince l asked and was not refused by
those sweet lips. Never mind Ned,
Maggie. Naturally he feels jealous. /
would myself, under revised circumstan-
ces. But all this has nothing to do with
our promises 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 it
will-but if it should come, that you
want to be released from me, all you
have to do is to send your half of the
cross to me. 1t will be the mute token
of my misery"
But Maggie smiled up in his face
cheerfully.
If the misery you ever anticipate
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, sup
pose you weary of my colors-what
then?"
He folded her tightly in his arms and
kissed her.
q AS if could ever changep
So the two, in that blissful, painful
parting that seemed ages to them, re-
newed their VOWS. The old, old story,
yet ever new.
The cheerful rays of the astral lamp on
the round, crimson-covered table
t;n1ers as and f3asbaJ I!te snarL ofl;nn;d
silver on her t;ny thimble and nol;sbed
needle as her hands tiew gracefnIly over
her - vorL Che had cIss-sJ awav | tha
tea M dishes fishes and her narents had GONE TO to
friends. Little Bessie lay sleeping on
the lounge, with the light shaded from
she was making toS One fber br;dal ont.
fits had settled bappily cozily down tn
her evenings work. thinkipg. with every
stitch she set. of George Wayland. by
this time away out in Omaha, where he
would make a good many hundred dol
lars in putting the machinery in a new
mill-money that would start them SO
nicely housekeeping. Her pleasant rev.
ery was dissipated by an impatient ran
on the sitting room door, followed, be-
fore she could unfasten her work from
her knee and go to the door and open it,
by Ned Morrison.
" Don't get up. Maggie; | can lind a
chair for myself. Pye been here often
enough to make myself at home, haven't
/, for all l don't appear to be particu.
larly wanted ?"
Maggie's cheeks famed at the insinu
ated want of hospitality, but she very
pleasantly arose and placed chair neal
the flre.
Oh, no, Ned; you only imagine we
don't want to see VOII Sit down Ain,i