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

BY Oracle.
Il am sorry, George'
George Goodwin turned his face
away for a moment from the sweet,
beautiful one looking into it. 1t was
not in the least degrading to his man.
hood that the large tears gathered for
an Instant in his eyes, rs the gentle
voice spoke the words that told him
the strongest hope of his life was
crushed forever.
The room was silent after Maggie
spoke, and n strong heart wrestled
dumbly with his great agony ton
der one sought for words of comfort
and relief. When Maggie spoke again
her own pretty eyes were moist, and
tremor was in her low, sweet voice
Believe me, George, 1 never dream.
ed of this. For so many years, ever
since 1 was little girl, you haye been
SO like q brother, that 1 have given
you sisters love, and did not think
you wished for any other. George,
she continued, piteously, tell me you
do not think l have trifled with you
or willingly wounded the noblest,
truest and best heart in the world
'Darling.' said George, hoarsely, 81
know you have not. 1t was my own
blindness, my own great love that de-
ceivad me. Tell me, Maggie, is there
no hope for me in the future. when
you may cease to love me as brother
bat love me dearly and affectionately
as love your
The answer came, slowly and ten
derly:
Il 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 he softly
touched the raven hair of Maggie's s
bent head with his lips, and left her.
She went to her own room, crying
softly. 1t was a sore pain 10 her TO
know that George loved her SO deep.
ly. There was no thought of girlish
triumph over a new conquest, for
Maggie had not one spark of coquetry
in her simple nature. No pain in 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 house
hold to study medicine with him, to
become, in course of time, as dear to
him as son. He was not entirely
dependent on his profession. having
small income inherited from his fa-
ther. To Maggie, her uncle's house
had been a second home since she was
u child. Situated about two miles
from her fathers residence, the dis
tance 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 duration.
hold, from her uncle to the housekeep-
er, and even down to the ofiice-boy,
who considered her little angel.
Georges arrival gave the damsel q
new admirer in the strong, rough lad,
whose ringing voice awoke the echoes
of the quiet old house, as her silvery
laugh and low, sweet tones had never
done.
twas pleasant to see how the young
natures controlled eoch other in their
frank, pleasant Intercourse. 1t was
George who conquered Maggie's tim
idity. and made her fearless horse
woman, who awakened her from
dreamy reveries to realities of lite,
turned her tender sympathies to prac-
tical charities, and led her up to high.
er and nobler aims in life than her
shrinking gentleness would haye ever
sought alone. 1t was Maggie who
taught George to soften his rough
rather uncouth manners, and persuad.
ed him that courtesy was no want o
manliness, and gentleness implied nc
weakness.
But while George was allowing hi,
whole heart to become bound up in
Maggie, giving her the entire devotion
of his life, making her returning love
for every exertion, every act of self
sacrifice, dreaming OF his future as
only lifetime of loving care for her
Maggie regarded him as only broth
er, and kept her heart untouched til
Edward Glover came to claim it.
lie was but visitor at the village
where Maggie spent her happy life
but in his brief summer sojourn b,
won the heart for whose love Georg,
would have given his life, and in tn,
spring came to carry his fair bride t.
his city home.
Letters came frequently from th'
city home where the raven-hairet
country girl presided, and al ways CAV,