The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-07-19

years of love and contentmeDt were
granted TO Maggie, and then sorrow
came in the trying fact that her hus-
band was falling into a state of i'll
health. A voyage was recommended
and the beautiful little wife left home.
friends aud country, to seek new life
for her husband in Italy's soft air.
In the library, where George Good
win had spoken his love-tale TO Mag
gle, there were seated, eight years
later. an old gentleman and young,
fair lady in deep mourning.
Your mother must have missed
your letter, Maggie DR.. East said.
She would never haye left home ex-
pecting your return
L found my last letter unopened on
her table. All was so sudden AT the
last, uncle, Edward was so well when
wrote before, that l did not think
the idea of my return occurred to her.
1t is so lonely at home that 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, is he not? ?
always. l will tell yon all. Ycu
heard, soon after your arrival in Italy,
did you not, of the dreadful accident
at the new building just ont in the viii
iage? Many were killed and wound
ell by the premature fall of Il large
quantity of bricks and mortar. Every
one hastened to the spot to aid the
suffering, supposing all danger was
over. George went down to the build
ing, experimenting the removal OF
the unfortunate wounded, and l re-
ceived them in the long stone-cutter
shed above, and dressed their wounds
All were removed but the dead. and
George was still in the building when
second fall came that Mortified us
ALL
oh, uncle! George?'
sHe was taken up insensible. Ap-
parently his injuries were slight, bu,
as he recovered consciousness, we
found blow upon his head which,
with the nervous shock, had totally
destroyed his eyesight.'
Not incurable?' 2
sYes, dear. Every effort skill could
suggest or money procure has been
made. We have had the advice of the
first surgeons in the country, and all
the remedies have been faithfully tried
All has been in vain. He is hopeless.
ly blind
Maggies s tears were falling so fas!
she could not speak, and her uncle con
tinued:
'He bears his trial with fortitud e.
but it is grief none can appreciate
except under similar affection. Hush
he is coming
Don't say 1 am here. l cannot
speak to him yet whispered Maggie
rising softly and taking a seat in the
further corner of the room, where she
watched Georges entrance with pain
full earnestness.
He came in very slowly, his arms
outstretched and his step uncertain.
Maggie longed to offer her support,
but could not control her voice to
speak.
Are You here, DR.. East:' George
asked, and the deep, sweet voice struck
upon Maggie's ear.
Il am here, in my old place.
Let me find my chair. Ah, here it
is,' and he sank weariiy in the chair.
4 have glad, but still sad, news for
you,' said DIR, East.
Sad and glad News from abroad ?
Yes. Poor Maggie'
There was deep silence. Then
George spoke in meditating tone, as
it following aloud a train of thought
Better 10 be widowed that to have
been burdened as she would have been
had my life been blessed as l once
hoped. May Heaven bless and COM
fort her In her sorrowl'
You loved her very truly, George !?
Il love her while life remains.
can never cease to love Maggie. When
is che coming home, doctor
She has come.'
But her parents are away.
sShe is here, George
1t was pi,iful to see how the sad
face Of the afflicted man lighted up as
he bent forward eagerly, his hands
outstretched, and his features working
with emotion.
.'Here-here! Maggie! lie had for
gotten his blindness, her widowhood,
everything, but the fact that Maggie
was near him. Il cannot see you
Maggie, darling,' ne said with emotion
Speak to me-
She came softly to him, her tear:
falling fast.
sOh, Maggie!' he remarked, L have
no word to comfort your SORROW
'And your aifiiction, George she
replied, is new sorrow to me-
They talked together for a consider
able time. There was much to tell b,
both parties, and each sympa,hize(
with the other for the sorrows which
had fallen upon them during thci
separation.
1t was not long before Maggie hat
found her old place in the home circl'
as if she had never left it. She wa
altered in many ways. The gen'l
nature had developed into a dignifi,
self-reliance during the period of he
,narripd lifp when she had been TN