The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1878-07-04
Il BUNCH OF ROSES.

Maggie Denne was standing on the
terrace in the rectOry garden at Wit
tlesleigh, gazing over the lovely bay,
when a young man came close and
gently placed his hands over her
blue eyes.
"Frank, how dare you ." she ex-
claimed "let me go this instant"
The hands were Immediately with
drawn, and the young girl turned
round, half angrily, to encounter the
rude disturber OF her reverie.
"Why, Algy, is it you ?" How did
you get here ? ! thought you were at
MatcOmbe. This is a surprise % she
added "papa will be so glad, and
Frank, too"
''And yOd, Maggie ?" said Algy, as
he shook hands with her warmly,
veHturing upon gentle pressure Of
her taper fingers.
t'Of courJe, am delighted, particu-
larly as Jessie H8mblyn Is coming to-
day. You recOlIect her ?''
''Ob perfectly; she used TO be my
ideal OF beauty until" He stopped.
"Until that terrible attack cost her
her eyesight, you mean. Yes, indeed,
she was a lovely girl. / admire your
taste, Algy.
al did not exactly mean that" he
replied "I meant"
"Never mind, just now, but tell me,
like good fellow, Is that the smoke
OF the steamer over there ? IL so, l
must go and tell Robert to get the
pOnY-Chaise r0ady-n
Afgy shaded his eyes from the gIare
and bent all his powers OF vision upon
N dUnuH rFa fhn hnriVnn
It was indeed q fair scene upon
which his eyes rested. The blue wa
tiers of the bay were flecked with
foam, as the brisk breeze met the rest
less sea on the flOOd-tide. Till now,
Maggie had in vain sought fort token
OF the vessel, and with shaded eyes
had watched the whole eXpRDse, at
times almost despairing. Bat now
all doubt was removed. The black
streak grew more and more defined
long trail OF smoke extended far
across the blue distance.
"COme along" said Maggie, "we
must tell papa and Frank. They Will
be astOnished to sec you. BY the
way, do you generally greet your lady
friends at MatcOmbe as you did me
just now ?"
Algy bIushed as he replied "Of
course not; besides, l have no particu-
lar friends there"
"Oh Not Miss Luttrel ? and Miss
AIice-is it Miss Darlington ?
File, Algy, iie what would they say
10 hear you disOwn them thus But
here is Frank"
As she spoke her cousin, Frank
Carson, Appeared. He walked slow
ly and with a peculiar, watChful gait,
but he turned mis- head neither to the
right nor left, "a he approached the
merry pair.
"Well, Frank, old fellow, how are
you ?" exclaimed Algy heartily, as
he extended his hand.
"Why, Algy Vernon, hack alreadyl
We thought you were studying medl-
cine, or cutting peoples legs Off to
keep your hand in for surgery. Oh,
you trUant ~
The young men shook hands warm
Iy.
"Have you been here long this
time % asked Algernon.
"AbOut fortnight was the reply;
"Maggie's sChOOl-chum is coming-I
am very anxious indeed to make her
acquaintance bAlE
lOvely-nOt that her good looks mat
ter to me-
Algy was about TO make reply
when Maggie made him a sign not to
speak.
"Will You come and meet her,
Frank ? We are going"
"Of course shall be delighted TO
welcome her. pll 20 and get some
flowers for her--a bunch of roses will
do" As he spoke he walked quietly
away.
"What did you mean by telegraph
ing 10 me IN that mysterious man.
ner ?'' asked Vernon.
"Frank doesn't know that Jessie is
blind now, so don't tell him. She
may recover her eyesight, the doctor
says. Perhaps your skill may prove
of USE"
''Not much, L am afraid" said AL
gernOn, signing. "But pve made
the eyes my study, too. Now your
eye"
But Whatever compliment he in
tended to convey was cut short by
Maggie's sudden departure.
In half an hour the party were all
ready TO proceed to the wharf. The
pOny-chsise led the way at a brisk
pace, while cart for the visitors lug
gage followed more sOberly.
The steamer soon came alongside,
and Maggie's quick glance at once de-
scried her friend.
"There she is, Algy, and Barton is
with her, as usual. What a kind
creature she is :"
Barton recognized the party at the
same moment, and told her young
mistress, who turned round and Wav-
ed her hand.
Jessie Hamblyn must have pos
sessed no ordinary share of beauty
before the fell rayages OF smallpox
had deprived her Of sight. Even now
her almost classic features were very
striking, and her opened lids at dis
lance did not betrsy the terrible trial
to which she had been subjected.
Fortunately, the disease had not
marked her to any perceptible extent,
and, had her eyes been spared, her
beauty would have remained almost
unlmpsired. Her tall, weli-fOrmed
hgure was drawn up as if in defiance
OF the pity she knew was felt for her,
and of mRuV kind eynroSsioDS uyhinb