Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-07-28
MAGGIE MAY.

"Believe me, George, never dreamed
OF this. For so many years, ever since 1
was 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, "tell me you do not think
have been trifling with you, 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 de-
ceiyed me. Tell me, Maggie, is there no
hone for me in the future, when you
NAV cease to love me as BROTHER put
love me dearly and afectionatelly as
love you"
The answer came slowly and tenderly:
81 am the promised wife of Edward
Glover" The room reeled before
Georges eyes then by great effort he
Strengthened himself, and controlled his
voice to speak: "He is worthy, Maggie,
even of YOUR love. Nay heaven grant
YOU every happiness" and as he spoke,
abe softly touched the raven hair OF
Maggie's bent head with his lips, and
left her. She went to her own room
crying softly. 1t was sore pain to her
To know that George loved her so deeply.
There was no thought of the girlish tri-
umph over a new conquest, for Maggie
had not one spark of coquetry in her
simple nature. No pain of her happy,
innocent lite had been so great as this
sympathy and regret for George. She
was but a mere child when her uncle had
taken George into his household to study
medicine with him, to become, in the
course of time, as dear to him as son.
He was not entirely dependent on his
profession, having a small income in
herited from his father. To Maggie bel
uncle's house had been a second home
aimee she was 9 child. Situated about
two miles from her fathers residence
the distance had been considered tot
GREAT in her childhood for two walks il
the day, 50 that a visit to her uncle
was usually of two or three days dura
tion. She was the star of the who'll
household, from her uncle to the house
keeper, and even down to the office boy
who considered her q little angel
GEORGES arrival gave the damsel q new
.dmirer in the strong, rough lad, who's
ringing voice woke the echoes OF tn
quiet old house, as her silvery laugh an
low. sweet tones had never done.
It was pleasant to see how the youn
natures controlled each other in thei
frank, pleasant intercourse. 1t va
George who conquered Maggie timidity
and made her q fearless horsewoman, VII
vakened her from dreamy reveries
realities of life, turned her tende
svmpathies to practical charities, an
led her up to higher and nobler aims j
ife than her shrinking gentleness woul
have ever sought alone. 1t was Magg
who taught George 70 soften his rougl
rather uncouth manners, and persuade
him that courtesy was no want of mai
illness. and gentleness implied no veal
ness.
But while George was allowing b
whole heart to become bound up
Maggie, giving her the entire devotio
of his lite, making her returning lo'
for every exertion, every act of sci
sacrifice, dreaming of his future as on
lifetime of loving care for her, Magg
regarded him as only brother and kel
her heart untouched till Edward GLOW
came to claim it. He was but q visit
at the village where Maggie spent b
happy life; but in his brief SUNNI
sojourn he won the heart for whose 10
George would have given his life, and
the spring came to carry his bride to
city home.
In the library, where George Geodw
had spoken his love tale to Maggie, the
we're seated, eight years later, an Q