The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-06
Aunt Maggie's Story.

me, lasse, was that Paul Cardcll was dead.
He was just S5. He'd lost sight and hear
ing both, they say, and was glad to 20. It's
not 80 bad with me; but wouldn't mind
going too. 1t stirred my memory to hear
OF Paurs death. Ive loved many in my
life, but never any one as l did him. All
I'm not ashamed of it, lassic, if am an old
maid. lie was just lovely.
VIC met oftcn and for while thought
he liked me pretty well. But soon began
to think was mistaken. It makes a girl
tremblo to think that she may show man
who does not love her that she likes him
over we'll All that she can do is to wait
Ah lassic, many timo the waiting is q
weary thing, and the right one doesn't
come, and the wrong one docs, and oven
the wrong one seems better than none at
all. don't blame women for things that
seem wrong often they haven't much
chance to 90 right. 1t seems to mo that
Paul was my right one; but he didn't court
me, and | could not court him. And James
Rcedcr, being q man, could do as he chose,
and did. He loved me, and loved Paul
Cardell. God help us ALL / think if we
women had no hearts the world would be a
mcrrier place, lassic.
put James Reedcr off while, and Just
kept my eye on Paul did not love him.
and did love Paul. Why couldn't love
tho man that loved mc2
Then said l to myself, "nc sensible
woman. It's better to marry man who is
fond of you, if he doesn't seem perfection,
than to waste yonr youth and your strength
and your hope pinng for one you arc moth
ing to- It's prettier in poem to do tho last,
Dut wasn't so very young or so very beau
tlful that the whole world wanted me, [
ul1nacpH what lifo ,uo,,ll ko ,,,l,o r
lonely old maid handed about like bad
penny from Cousin jacks to Uncle Ben's
and from Sister Hannah's to Sister James
Not mucn wanted anywhere. Better try
to make man who loved mo happy, and
80 loarn 10 love him. Thoy say Glove
comes with the childrcn"-somc who have
tried it.
thought it all over before went to bed
one night, and made up my mind that
James Rcedcr should have "yes" when
he asked for it, Than cricd-oh how I
cried, lassie. ooh, must I give you up,
Paul 2" said I; ''and oh, must give YOU
ups" and knew I'd never had him to give
up or to keep -~
The girls cnyicd nc my handsome, dash
ing beau. But often, walking with him,
Or riding with him, I'd pass Paul Cardcll in
h!s. shabby coat, and say to myself, "0h,
t9 be q man-iust to bp q man, and 20 a
counting whom chsose, instead of taking
what comes, as though matrimony were
like the grab bag at church fair"
didn't want money, nor such beauty rs
James Rcedcr had so much Of. I wanted
well, lassic, | wanted Paul, and no one
else though why he was perfection to me,
heaven only knows, l do not and never
will. = =
What soomcd q great deal to me isn't
mpch to tell. There were picnic parties
where met Paul, but where lie let James
carry me Oft when no pleased, and never
tried to step between us,
At last Kitty Walsngham married, and
they gave her a great wedding party. They
were rich, and did it in fine style. They
had q fine house and fine furniture, and
silver and china, such as no ono else had
theroabout. And it was an all-day party.
Tho wedding first, then breakfast and din
ncr. and q dance and supper, of course.
was bridesmaid, and Paul stood up with
mo. After that, you know, it was his
place to be my beau all day. | thought of
that and moro. A word from him and I'd
give James Rcedcr tho mittcn. A word
a look even.
WhenI walked into church on his arm
kept thinking how it would seem to be tho
bride. / looked prettier than shc---I know
did, was dark, and white became me.
had roses in my hair and pearls in my
cars. ! did look pretty, lassie. You're not
80 pretty, vain as you are. It's all gone at
eoighty7--all goneall goncl What do We
live to be eighty FORE Lord forgive me-
and Paul.
DO You love any man, lassic Just
thlhk, I Il thNpn, y h hqaY that man locke 70 you:
beauties. Don't they say Love is blind [
think he has sharper eyes than any one else,
and finds out charms no other can. Oh,
my beautiful Paul. And brother Dick told
mo last night how very plain he was and
there sat with my blood boiling--yscss
boiling, lassie. MY beautiful Paul plain
my cSqulstp, graceful, sWpet-faoaa' Paul
plain And rocked and tidgcted. And And
says Dick, "You aroS nervous tonight,
Maggie. ! hope you Amt 9 getting The
rhennatism (" And was I not old fool
enough to tell him was angry, and why ?
You didn't look away to laugh, lasale 2