Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-07-28
gentleman and a Young, fair lady in deep

gentleman and a young, fair lady in deep
mourning.
"Your mother must have missed
your letter, Maggie" DR.. East said.
"She would never have left home ex-
pecting your return"
81 found my last letter unopened on
her table. All was 80 sudden at the
last. uncle. Edward was so well when
/ wrote before that l do not think the
idea of nv 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 l
am to have you with me. Maggie, there
is something to tell you we did not write
of, thinking it would only grieve you.
George has been deeply afflicted"
George? He is here, i, he mott"
"Always. l will tell you all. You
heard soon after your arrival in Italy,
did you not, of the dreadful accident at
the new building just out of the village?
Many were killed and wounded by the
premature fall of large quantity OF
brick and mortar. Every one fastened
to the spot to aid the sufferers, supposing
all danger was over. George went down
to the building, superintended the re-
moval of the unfortunate wounded, ana
I received them in the long stonecutters
shed above, and dressed their wounds
All was removed but the dead, and
George was still in the building when a
second fall came that horrifed us all"
"Ob, uncle! George"
"He was taken up insensible. Appar-
emily his injuries were slight, but as he
recovered consciousness We found blow
upon his mead which, with the nervous
shock. had totally destroyed hiseyesight."
"Not incurably?"
eyes, dear. Every effort skill could
suggest or money procure has been made.
We have had the advice of the first sur
geons in the country, and all remedies
have been faithfully tried. All has beer
in vain. He is hopelessly blind"
} Maggie's tears were falling so fast she
, could not speak; and her uncle contin
ued:
"He bears his trial with fortitude, bu
it is a grief none can appreciate, excep
, under similar affection. Hush. He i
coming"
"Don't say am here. Icannot speal
, to him yet" whispered Maggie, risinI
T softly and taking seat in turtle
Z. corner of the room. where she watches
+ Georges en- trance with painful earnest
e ness.
r He came in very slowly, his arms Out
:, stretched, and his step uncertain. Mas
is gle longed to offer her support, but coul
e not control her voice to speak.
d care you here, DR.. East" Georg
y asked; and the deep, sweet voice struc
'e upon Maggie's ear.
q. al am here, in my old place. "
is "Let me find my chair. All! here
a. u.s." and he sank down YEARLY in II
er chair.
ne Il have glad but still sad news IL
ut you, said DR.. East.
e, "Sad and glad! News from abroad
DO eyes. The sad news of Edwal
in Glover. He died in Italy last month. "
,'s "And Maggie is coming home, that
a. your glad news?"
lie "Yes. Poor Maggie!"
'e- There was deep silence. Then Geor
y, spoke in meditating tone, as if follo'
Ell. ing aloud train OF thought: "Bett
W to be widowed than to have been bu
we dened as she would have been, had q
he life been blessed as once hoped. NJ
nd heaven bless and comfort her in her *
row."
ng "You loved her very truly, George
cir 81 leve her while life remains. l C
Tas never cease to love Maggie. When is $
ty, coming home, doctor?"
no "She has come"
to "But her parents are away"
Ter "She is here, George"
nd 1t was painful to see how the sad fs
in of the afflicted man lighted up as he be
I'D forward eagerly, his hands outstretch
gle aud his features working with emoti'
gb, Here, here, Maggie!" He had forg
led ten his blindness, her widowhood, eve
an thing, but the fact that Maggie was M
ak him. al cannot see you, Maggie, j