The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-07-21
MAGGIE MAY.

Believe me, George, | never dreamed
Of this. For 60 many years, ever since I
was a little girl, you have been so like a
brother that I 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 trifing with you, or willingly
wounded the noblest, truest and best
heart in the world"
Darling" said George, hoarsely, I
know you have not. It was my own
blindness, my own great love that de-
ceived me. Tell me, Maggie, is there no
hope for me in the future, when you
may cease to love me as a brother, but
love me dearly and affectionatelly as I
c. HA76-1a1
The answer came slowly anu sonderly:
81 am the promised wife of Edward
Glover" The room reeled before
Georges eyes then by a 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! and as he spoke,
she 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 a 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 n 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 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 a SON.
He was not entirely dependent on his
profession, having a small income in
herited from his father. To Maggie her
uncle's house had been a second home
since she was a child. Situated about
two miles from her fathers residence,
the distance had been considered too
great in her childhood for two walks in
the day, SO that a visit to her uncle's
was usually of two Or three days dura.
tion. She was the star of the whole |
household, from her uncle to the house
and yer down to the office bow,
who considered her a little angel.
Georges arrival gave the damsel a new
admirer in the strong, rough lad, whose
voice woke the echoes of the
quiet old house, as her silvery laugh and
low, sweet tones had never done.
1t was pleasant to see how the Young
controlled each other in their
frank, pleasant intercourse. It was
who conquered Maggie'stimidity.
md made her a fearless horsewoman, who
Eakened her from dreamy reveries to
realities of life, turned her tender
lympathies to practical charities, and
led her up to higher and nobler aims in
life than her shrinking gentleness would
have ever sought alone. It was Maggie
who taught George to soften his rough.
rather uncouth manners, and persuaded
nina that courtesy was no want of man.
and gentleneas implied no weak
less.
But while George was allowing his
Whole heart to become bound up in
Maggie, giving her the entire devotion
# his life, making her returning love
Or every exertion, every act of self.
a%criice, dreaming of his future as only
lifetime of loving care for her, Maggie
egarded him a only q brother and kept
Ter heart untouched till Edward Glover
anne to claim it. He was but a visitor
I the village where Maggie spent her
lappy life; but in his brief summer
he won the heart for whose love
aeorge would have given his life, and in
he spring came to carry his bride to his
home. {