Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-06-28
A BUNCH OF ROSES.


tlesleigh, gazing over The lovely bay,
when a young man came close and
gently placed his hands over her blue
eyes.
" Frank, how dare youP" she ex-
claimed; "let me go this instantr'
The hands were Immediately with
drawn, and the fair girl turned round,
half angrily, to encounter the rude dis
turber of her reverie.
Why, Algy, is it youP How did
you get hereP ] thought you were at
Mote0mbe. This is SURPRISE" she
added; papa will be so glad, and
Frank, too"
"And you, MaggieP" said Algy, as
he shook hands with her warmly, ven
turing upon gentle pressure of her
taper fingers.
"Of course am delighted, particu-
larly as Jessie Hamblyn is coming to-
day. You recollect herPh
"Oh, 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."
Il did not exactly mean that" he
replied; 81 meant"
Never mind just now, but tell me,
like good fellow, is that the smoke of
the steamer over thereP If so, must
go and tell Robert to get the pony
chaise ready"
Algy shaded his eyes from the glare,
and bent all his powers of vision upon
the tiny cloud on the horizon.
1t was indeed fair scene upon which
his eyes rested. The blue waters of the
bay were fecked with foam, as the
brisk breeze met the restless sea on the
fiood-tide. Till now Maggie had in
vain sought for a token of the vessel,
and with shaded eyes had watched the
wide eXpanse, at times almost despair
ing. But 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 see you. By the way,
do you generally greet your lady friends
at Motcombe as you did me just nowP"
Algy blushed as he replied: "Of
course not; besides, l have no particu-
lar friends there"
"Oh! Not Miss LuttrelP and Miss
Alice-is 1t Alice-CarringtonP Fie,
! Algy, fie! what would they say to hear
you disown them thusP But here is
frank"
AS she spoke her cousin, Frank Car
son, appeared. He walked slowly and
with peculiar watchful gait, but he
turned his head neither to the right nor
left, as he approached the merry pair
"Well, Frank, old fellow, how are
youP" exclaimed Algy, heartily, as he
extended his hand.
"Why, Algy Vernon, back already!
We thought you were studying medi-
cine, or cutting peoples legs off to keep
your hand in for surgery. Oh, you
truantr'
The young men shook hands warmly
Have you been here long this timer"
asked Algernon.
"About a fortnight" was the reply;
"Maggie's school-chum is coming-I
am very anxious to make her acquaint-
ance. / understand she's lovely-not
that her good looks matter to me-
Algy was about to make reply when
Maggie made him sign not to speak.
"Will you come and meet her, Frank
We are going"
"Of course; shall be delighted to
welcome her. I'll go 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 to me in that mysterious manner P"
asked Vernon.
Frank doesn't know that Jessie is
blind now, so don't tell him. She may
recover her eyesight, the doctors say.
Perhaps your skill may prove of use"
mot much, am afraid,' said AL
gernOn. "But i've made the eyes my
study too. Now your eyes"
But whatever compliment he intend
ed 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-chaise led the way at a brisk
pace, while a cart for the visitors lug
gage followed more soberly.
The steamer soon came alongside,
and Maggie's quick glance at once
deserted her friend.
There she is, Algy, and Barton is
with her,as usual. What kind Great
ure she is!'
Barton recognized the party at the
same moment, and told her young mis-
tress, who turned round and. waved her
hand
Jessie Hamblyn must have possessed
no ordinary share. of beauty before the
fell ravages of smallpox had deprived
her of sight. Even now her almost
classical features were very striking,
and her open lids at distance did not
betray the terrible trial to which she
had been subjected. Fortunately, the
disease had not marked her to any per-
ceptible extent, and had her eyes been
spared her beauty would have remained
almost unimpaired. Her tall, we'll
formed figure was drawn up as if in
defiance of the pity she knew was felt
for her, and of many kind expressions
which her quick sense of hearing
caught and resented. At first she had
rebelled terribly against the will that
had mercifully chastised her, but lately
she had bowed her head to the decrees
of Providence, and almost without a
murmur.
Z" How glad am to see you p she
exclaimed-"I mean, 10 know / am
with you once again, dear Maggie |!
How kind you are p
dearest jessie" whispered her
friend, 'we are all delighted you have
come, and looking so well, too. Here
are two young gentlemen waiting 10 be
introduced though think you have
met Algy Vernon before. F"
80 yes l recollect Mr.. Vernon
quite well. We had famous picnic
TO the Glen, think il was.''