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


had spoken his love tale to Maggie, there
were seated, eight years later, an old
gentleman and ayoung, fair lady in deep
mourning.
"Your mother must have missed
your letter, Maggie" DR.. East said.
"She would never have left home K
pecting your return"
~ found my last letter unopened on
her table. All was 80 sudden at the
last, uncle. Edward was 50 well when
l wrote before, that I do not think the
idea of my return occurred to her. It
is so lonely at home, [ came at NICE to
you, hoping to stay till father and
mother return"
"You know, dear child, how glad I
am to have you with me. Maggie, there
is something to tell you We did not write
of, thinking it would only grieve you1
George has been deeply afflicted"
George? He is here, is he not?"
always. L will tf1l you all. You
heard o. 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 a 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, and
| received them in the long s]tonecutter's
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 Mortified us ALL"
cob, uncle! George"
He was taken up insensible. Appar-
emily his injuries were slight, but as he
recovered consciousness we found a blow
upon his head which, with the nervous
shock, hadtotally destroyedhiseyesight."
"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 been
in vain. He is hopelessly blind"
Maggie'sstears were falling so fast she
could not speak; and her uncle contin-
ued:
"He bears his trial with fortitude, but
it is a grief none can appreciate, except
under similar affection. Hush! He is
coming"
"Don't say I am here. Icannot speak
to him yet" whispered Maggie, rising
softly and taking a seat in a further
corner of the room, where she watched
Georges en- trance with painful earnest
He came in very slowly, his arms out
stretched, and his step uncertain. Mag
gle longed to offer her support, but could
not control her voice to speak.
care you here, DIR. East" George
asked; and the deep, sweet voice struck
upon Maggie's ear.
II am here, in my old place"
"Let me find my chair. All! here it
is" and he sank down YEARLY in the
chair.
81 have glad but still sad news for
you" said DR.. East
"Sad and glad! News from abroad?"
eyes. The sad news of Edward
Glover. He died in Italy last month"
"And Maggie is coming home, that is
your glad news?"
eyes. Poor Maggie
There was a deep silence. Then George
spoke in a meditating tone, asi if follow
ing aloud a train of thought: "Better
to be widowed than to have been bur-
dened as she would have been, had nv
life been blessed as l once hoped. Nav
heaven bless and comfort her in her sor-
"You loved her very truly, George ?"
ri love her while life remains. I can
never cease to love Maggie. When is she
home, doctor?"
"She has come"
"But her parents are away"
"She is here, George"
1t was painful to see how the sad face
the afflicted man lighted upc/he bent
Onward eagerly, his hands outstretched
his features working with emotion.
. Here, here, Maggie!" He had forgot
EN- his blindness, her widowhood, every
hing, but the fact that Maggie was near
Tim. II cannot see you, Maggie, iar-
he said, with emotion. "speak
0 me. She came softly to him, her
ears falling fast.
cob, Maggie" he remarked, 81 have
word to comfort your sorrow."
And your affection, George" she
sis a new sorrow to me. They
alked together for a considerable time.
here was much to tell by both parties,
nd each sympathized with the other for
sorrows which had fallen upon them
their separation.
1t was not long before Maggie had found
old place in the home circle a if she
ad never left it. !
To George a new and perhaps happier
fe had opened. Maggie again was his .
veet, tender, loving hearted sister. It
as Maggie who drove him out in the :
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