Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-06-09
MAGGIE MAY.


George Goodwin turned his face away for
moment from the sweet beautiful one looking
into it. II was not in the least degrading tc
his manhood that the large tears gathered fol
an instant in his eyes, Ar tho gentle voice
spoke the words that told him the stronges.
hope of his life was crushed forever The
room was silent after Maggie spoke, and a
strong heart wrestled dumbly with its great
agony tender one sought for words of COM
fort and relief. When Maggie spoke again. her
own pretty eyes were moist, and tremor was
in her low sweet voice
Believe me, George. never dreamed Of
t his. For so many years, ever since l was a
little girl, you have been so like brother that
have given you a sisters love and did not
think you wished for any other. George" she
continued, piteously, "tel me you do not think
| have been trihng with yon, or willingly
wounded the nobleSt, truest and best heart in
the world"
"Darling," said George, hoarsely, 81 know
you have not 1t was my own blindness, my
own great love that deceived me. Tell me,
Maggie, is there no hope for me in the future.
when You may cease to love me as brother.
but love me dearly and ffectianately as love
YOU"
The answer came slowly and tcnderly: 81
am the promised wife of Edward Glover"
The room reeed before Georges eyes; then
by great effort, he Strengthened himself, and
controlled his voice to speak % He is worthy,
Maggie, even Of your love. May heaven grant
you every happiness y and as he 81 oke, he
softly touched the raven hair of Maegies bent
head with his lips. and left her. She went to
her own room crying softly. 1t was a sore pain
to her to know that George loved her so deep
ly. There was no thought of the grlish
triumph over new conquest, for Maggie had
not one spark of coquetry in her simple nature.
No pain of her happy. innocent life had been so
great as this sympathy and regret for George.
She was but mere child when her uncle had
taken George into his household to study medi-
cine with him. to become, in course of time, as
dear to him as son. He was not entirely de-
pendent on his profession. having a small in
come inherited from his father To Maggie
her uncle's house had been a second home
since she was q child. Siiu,ted about two
miles from her fathers residence, the distance
had been considered too great in her childhood
for two walks in the day. 20 that visit to her
uncle's was usually OF two Or three days tura-
hold, from her uncle to the hon ,ekecper. and
even down to the Office boy. who considered
her little angel. Georges arrival gave the
damsel new admiier in the strong, rough lad,
whose ringing voice woke the ech COS of the
quiet old house, as her silvery laugh and low,
sweet tones had never done.
1t was pleasant to sec how the young .uaturcs
controlled each other in their frank, pleasant
intercourse. 1t was George who conquered
Maggie's timidty. and made her fearless
horsewoman, WHO wakened her from dreamy
rereries to realities of life, turned her tender
sympathies to practical charities. and led her
up to higher and nohlcr aims in life than her
shrinking gentleness would have ever sought
alone. 1t was Maggie who taught George to
soften his rough, rather uncouth manners and
persuaded him that courtesy was no want of
manliness, and SentltneSs implied no Weakness |
But while George was allowing his whole |
heart to become bound mp in Maggie, giving
her the entire devotion of his life. making her !
returning love for every exertion. every act |
of self f-sacrifice, dreaming of his future as
only lifetime of loving care for her. Maggie
regarded him as only brother aud kept her
heart untouched till Edward Glover came to
claim it. He was but a visitor at the village
where Maggie spent her happy life but in his
brief summer sojourn he won the heart for
whose love George would have given his life.
and in the spring came to carry his bride to his
city home
In the library. where George Goodwin had
poken his love tale to Maggie. there were
seated, eight years later, an old gentleman and
a young, fair lady in deep mourning
''lour mother must have missed your letter.
Maggie" DR.. East said. "She would never
have left home expecting your RETURN
- found my last letter unopened on her
table. All was so sudden at the last. uncle
Edward was SO well when wrote before. that
do not think the.idea of my return occurred to
her. 1t is SO lonely at home. came at once to
you, hoping to stay till father and mother
return"
" You know, dear child, how glad am to
have you with me- Maggie there is something
TO tell you we did not rite of, thinking it
would only grieve you. George has been deep
y afflicted"
"George? He is here, is henot 2" II
always. l will tell you all. You heard
'oon after your arrival in Italy, did YOU not.
If the dreadful accident at the new building
ust out of the village? Many were killed and
Wounded by the premature fall of large quan-
ity of brick and mortar. Every one hastened
o the spot to aid the sufferers, supposing all
langer was over. George went down to the
,uil1ing, superintended the removal of the un-
ortunate wounded, and received them in the
ong stonecutters shed above, and dressed
heir wounds. All was removed but the dead,
md George was still in the building when
second fall came that horrifed us ALL
. oh, uncle, George?''
" He was taken mp insensible. Apparently
ris injuries were slight but as he recovered
We found blow upon his head |