The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-08-11

W nun yet, whispered Maggie, rising sOIt-
ly and taking a seat in further corner Of
the room, where she watched Georges GU
trance with faithful earnestness
He came in very slowly, his arms out
stretched 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.
| am here in my old place.
Let me find my chair. All here it
is; and he sank down wearily in the chair
| have glad but still sad news for you" {"
said Dr. East,
Sad and glad News from abroad r.
Yes. The sad news of Edward Clio
yer. He died in Italy last month"
Aud Maggie is coming home; that is
your glad news p
Yes. Poor Maggie T.
There was deep silence. Then George
spoke in a meditating tone, as if following
aloud a train of thought:
Better to be widowed than TO have
been burdened as she would have been had
my life been blessed as | once hoped
May Heaven bless and comfort her in her
SORROW
"You loved her truly, George ?"
| love her while life remains. / can
never cease to love Maggie. When is she
coming home, Doctor ?"
She has come"
But her parents are away"
"She is here, George"
II was pitiful to see how the sad face of
the afflicted man lighted up as he bent for
ward eagerly, his hands outstretched aud
his features working with emotion.
Herc-here, Maggie !" He had for
gotten his blindness, her widowhood, every
thing but the fact that Maggie was near
him. 81 cannot see you, Maggie, darling" +"
he said with emotion "Speak to me.
She came softly to him, her tears falling
fast.
"0h, Maggie - he remarked, II have
no word to comfort your sorrow"
"And your affection, George" she re-
Piled sis new sorrow TO me.
They talked togthcr for considerable
time. There was much to tell by both
parties, and each sympathiacd with the
other for the sorrows which had fallen upon
them during their separation.
1t was not long before Maggie had found
her old place in the home circle as if she
had left it, She was altered in many
ways. The gentle nature had developed
into digui6ed selfrcliance during the
period of her married life, when size had
been the one to guide, to nurse and COM
fort, The journey homo had given an
independence Of thought to her tenderly-
nurtured life, and the possession of ample
means from her husbands legacy added to
the difference of character. But as the
time glided away the loving hearts found
that Maggie May was their own darling
still. More womanly, more dignifed, her
mind developed by travel, her character
ennobled by experience and discipline, but
with the loving heart unchanged, the sweet,
womanly disposition untouched.
To George new and perhaps happier
life had opened. Maggie again was his
sweet, tender, loving hearted sister. 1t
was Maggie who drove him out in the car
riage; it was Maggie who read to him, sang
for him, made the hours fly with merry
descriptions of her travels.
Maggie had opened drawer in Georges
desk, searching for some paper he wished
her to see, when she said suddenly
"What are all these loose papers, GeOrge2
There are an immensity of pages"
He replied, very sadly
That is the wreck of my ambition,
Maggie"
"Tell me about it"
You cannot realize the temptation
there is for student Of medicine to devote
all his energy to some special branch Of
the profession, and study all that bears
upon it. 1t was my fancy that l could
give my fellow students some valuable in-
formation upon diseases Of the brain, and
l had written what you see when my la
bors were stopped, and / became the use
less log | am now"
George, you really must not feel 50.
Are you not my poor uncle's greatest help
and comfort p
at is his kindness, not my value, Mag
! gle, dear, that makes him think so" .
But the book, George; have you for
gotten it2" eb ETKF
Forgotten? Never II is clearer
and more distinct in my darkened life than
ever before. My mind, ID my solitary
hours, has dwelt on each phrase Of the va
rious treatment of the disease, till find
my blindness a misfortune for others as
great as for myself"
But, George, why should you cease to
work : Cannot you dictate to meg"
Maggie, is it right to tie you down to
such drudgoryP"
IL will not be drudgery. Let me ar
range these papers now, and read them to
you, aud you can continue the work to-
morrow"
know it Is selfish, but the tempta :
tion Is too great. Maggie, you are my
guardian angel !"
The work progressed rapidly, and DR..
East watched, with loving gladness, the
change 10 George. Maggie wrote for him,
and read the extracts he dictated, entering
with her whole heart into the work. /
A year passed away from the day the
work was commenced before 1t was ready
| for the press, and they were rewarded at