The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-10-30
MAGGIE MAY.

George Goodwin turned his face away
for q moment from the sweet, beautiful
one looking into it. 1t was not in the
least degrading to bis manhood that the
large tears gathered for an instant in his
eyes, as 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
the strong heart wrestled dumbly with
its great agony; a tender one sought for
words of comfort and relief. When
Maggie spoke again, her own pretty
ewes wcro moist and trcmor was in her
low, sweet voice: :.
Believe inc, George, never dreamed
Of this. For so many years, over since
1 was little girl, you have been so like
a brother that l have given you Sis
ter's love and did not think YOU wished
for any other. George she continued,
pitcou.ly, tell me you do not think l
have been triang with you, or willingly
wounded the nob!est, truest and best
heart in the world.
Darling said George, hoarsely, 4
know you have not 1t was my own
great love that deceived 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
affectionately as l love yon%
The answer came slowly and tender
ly: I am the promised wife Of Ed
ward Glover.' The room rceled before
Georges eyes; then By crest effort, he
Strengthened himself, and controlled
himself to speak lie is worthy, Mag
rie, even Of your love. May heaven
grant you every happiness and as ho
spoke, he softly touched the raven hair
Of Masgie's bent head with his lips, and
!eft hcr. She went TO her own room
crying softly. 1t was = sore pain to her
to know that George loved her 50 deep.
ly. There was no thought Of the girl
ish triumph of new conquest, for Mag
gic had not one 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 mere child when her uncle
had takeo George into his household to
study medicine with him, to become in
the course of time as dear -, a SON.
lie was not entirely dependent on his
profession, having small income
Inherited from his father. TO
Maggie her unclc's house had been a
second home since she was child. Sit
uated about two miles from her fathers
residence, the distance had been Con-
sidered too great in her childhood for
two walks in the day, so that visit 10
her uncle's was usually Of two or three
days duration. She was the star Of
the whole household, from her uncle to
the housesecper, and even down to the
Office bog who considered her little
angel. Georges arrival gave the dam
sci a new admirer in the strong, rough
lad, whose ringing voice woke the
echoes of the quiet old house, as her
silvcry laugh and low, sweet tones had
never done.
1t was pleasant to see how the young
natures controlled each other in their
frank, pleasant intercourse. 1t was
George who conquered Maggic's timldi-
ty, and made her fearless horsc"omap,
who wakened her from her dreamy rev.
cries to realities Of life, turned her tan
der sympathies to practical charities,
and led her up to higher and nob!er
aims in life than her shrinking gentle
ness would ever have sought alone. 1t
vas Maggie who taught George to soften
his rough, rather uncoaih manners, and
persuaded him that courtesy was no
want of manliress, and GeElleness I'M
piled no weakness.
But while George was allowing his
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 sac
rifce, dreaming Of his future as only a
lifetime of loving care for her, Maggie
regarded him only as brother and kept
her hoart untouched till Edward Glover
came to claim it. He was but visitor