Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-08-09
Margie came in, and handed her q

letter and a package.
She was flushed and nervous, but
her manner was decided as she said:
Mother, here is a note | have
written to Mr.. Lingstone, to tell
him that [ wish to be released from
my engagement. This package
contains his ring. will never wear
it again
'Margie You cannot mean it
An engagement is not to be put off
as easily as you would glove. My
little girl cannot find it in her heart
to treat a loyal gentleman SO capri
ciously.'
She laid her hand gently on Mar
gie's head and smoothed its dark
locks tenderly, as she spoke.
'Mother,' she answered sadly, 4
have been coming to this resolution
for months; | respect Mr.. Living
stone, but | do not love him.
do you realize, child, that it is a
sin to trihe with human heart p
Yon are betrothed to him and it is
too late to say that you do not love
b1m. You should have decided
earlier
Margie broke in excitedly.
st means life or death to me !!
The more | see him the less I like
his society. ] Lave never allowed
him the slightest caress, and the
thought of Mss from him
'Margie y
1T is true And if it had not
been for you and papa we would
never have been engaged. [ told
him that [ did not love him at the
very first, and he SAID if | would
promise to be his wife, friendship
would change into warmer feel
ing, and if it did not he would be
satisfied, fl did-not---love-
another
She hesitated, and her voice sank
to low, plaintive tone which went
straight to her mothers heart. She
drew the girl to her and kissed her
socthingly.
'TelI ne the whole truth1 Do
you love some one else!'
Margie hid her face on her
mothers breast 1t was enough
Mrs Enstace asked to know no
more.
The painful interview was cnGed
by. the mothers promise to see Mr.
Livingstone and break the truth to
him as gently as possible.
Mr.. Livingstone read Margic's
frank, straightforward letter. The
girls heart was full of pity, not
withstanding her decision; and she
said it it would make him any hap>
pier, she would promise to remain
single, and thus atone for occasion-
ing him the pain Of rejection.
He tnrned very pale as he read.
After a moments thought he turned
to Mrs. Eustace
Tell Margie she has done right.
| do not blame her. A marriage
without love is mockcry, and |
thank her for ber trankness. Tell
her also that it is but right in her
to make some little atonenent for
what she has caused me to suffer. |
accept her promise in the same
spirit rs il is made
Tears came to Margie's eyes
when her mother brought this letter
to her, but the tears Of youth are
but April showers, and her eyes,
like the viuiets, shone all the bluer
for them; and her voice socn rang
ont again with all its old melody,
as she fitted from room to room
arranging and arranging them
with an interest which had long
been wanting.
Sometime after this Bert and
Margie met at a party. He haG
beer making inquiries about her,
and had just heard Of the broken
engagement. He said:
4 hope Miss Eustace is iustifiablc
in her action. | cannot imagine
that she conld DO wrong. She al
ways seemed to me to be raised TO
a higher altitude than other glrls
but from my heart | despise a jilt.'
He raised his voice unconsciously,
when warming touch upon his
arm checked him. lie turning, saw
-Margie.
Her large eyes were full of re-
proach. She had evidently over
heard bis last words.
He tried to make amends for his
incautious speech, but Margie knew
the secret Of her wayward heart,
and her maiden deiicacy was swift
to erect barriers against his be
trayal.
Bert was as much charmed with
her character on further acquaint-
ance as he had been at first by her
beauty, but as time passed on he
was in despair. He could not un
derstand her. She was rose bud
of girl, but most certainly was set
about with wilful thorns.
I