The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-31
1 had never guessed the attraction which

SOllS WaOul lc tlSllCu. ,1hC OioeliOA wa
an invalid, and it was probable that h'
would never recover. The sister, Mar
garct Wadsworth, was host devoted Il
r him. taking entire charge of him. Sh,
was accustomed to read to her brother
great deal, and it was in this way tina
Leonard had been able to assist her
All this was mere preface to Leonardo
secret, and by this time had guessed
that he was in love with Miss Wads
worth. Itwas SO indeed, and they were
engaged, but with no immediate pros
pect of being married. although Leonard
wished it as soon as he graduated; bu
Margaret was not willing that he shoulC
cucumber himself, at the beginning o
his career, with the care of her invalic
brother, who demanded also all her time
and attention. Isaw that Leonard wa!
nygreats earnest, aDd, although he longet
to claim Margaret rs his wife, his love
for her would not allow him to urge
anything against her wishes.
In few days after our confidential
talk Leonard asked me if / would cal
with him upon Miss Wadsworth anf
her brother. l was very much pleased
that he should show me that attention
and eagerly y accepted.
Leonard led the way to q little cot
tage in 4 retired part of the village
where the brother and sister lived
They occupied only part of the house
as their means would not allow them te
do more, and Margaret wished to have
tsomebodveise in the house. in case she
Ehad need TO calltany one. Leonard gave
4 couple Of little raps on the door, anc
soon we heard some one running lightly
down. stairs to let US in. Margaret
Wadsworth opened the door herself, anc
Leonard introduced. me as My friend
Will Bennett, Of whom you have heard
me speakso often By the manner in
which Miss Wadsworth gave me hel
hand I knew 7 was welcome, and hel
leyes told me that any friend of Leon.
ards had9a claim upon her friendship
also. Z s { I & 4, -
"sShe Ted the way upstairs to theil
little sitting-room. We paused q mo-
ment in the doorway, and I recall eX.
actly how the room looked to me then,
with the marks of .Margaret's graceful
and artistic nature displayed every
where. A dark, modest carpet covered
the floor, a wood fire burned on the
hearth, and on low, broad couch, by a
curtained window, lay the invalid. BY
his side was a small table with an open
book, face downward, as if some one
had just ceased reading, and lamp.
with q crimson shade which shed 4
soft, subdued light through the room.
Betw cen two of the windows stood q
low bookcase, and among the knick-
nacks upon the top-Was vase of flow
ers, which Iilnmediately y knew. must
have come from Leonard. b.
rssAs we, entered the room, Margaret
went to the lounge to arrange her
brothers. pillow and to tell him that we
had come. AS she walked across the
room, 1 Ihadan opportunity to slook at
her more minutely. The way she had
of arranging her brothers pillow and of
Speaking to him showed at once what
agentle, a beautiful disposition she had.
Fer large gray eyes were full Of atfec-
ton. rs she said in q low, sweet voice,
Albert, Leonard has come and has
drought his friend, Mr.. Bennett.
Would you not like to have the lounge
moved a little, so you can see themT
Albert did not speak. but smiled con-
sent; sweet, patient smile, and so
much ike his sisters.
LAS we were saying goodnight l
asked Albert if I might come and rel
to him when Leonard could not. Hi
face lighted up with the same smile, a
he said he never got tired listening to
his favorite authors. used to 90 fire.
1uently after that, when Leonard was
busy, to read to the invalid. 1t became
one of my greatest pleasures. and l
thought it was entirely my desire to do
good, but Inow know that more selfish
motive Influenced me somewhat.
s"Leonard's love for Margaret was as
sincere and pure as hers was for him.
They were most devoted to each other,
but with none of that sickly sentiment
ality which you so often see nova
days.
Time went on, and with it our
friendship increased. We formed a
very happy quartette in the little Sit
ting-room at Miss Wadsworth's. I
generally left Leonard and Margaret to-
gether, while I devoted myself to Al
bert. He was no better, but bore up
under his affliction with great fortitude
and set an example of self-control to
me particularly, who was to need it so
sorely. ..,
"At last the spring of 4e came, and
we were making preparations to grad
uate. Immediately after, Leonard was
to leave for California. For the last
few months his health had been failing,
and the physicians told him that an en-
tire change of climate with some active
outdoor work was necessary for his
complete recovery. He was unwilling
to leave Margaret, but she urged it so
strongly, and l also advised it, that he
finally consented. California seemed
the place for him; the gold excitement
was at it's height, and he hoped that
while seeking for his health he might
also find his fortune.
Z 81 went to the nearest city to read
law, but always managed to see Mar
garet once or twice week, for Leon
ards sake, ] said to myself.
1--WE received one letter from Leon
ard, mailed at the Tsthmus. He said
that the sea voyage had done him much
good, and he felt almost inclined to re-
turn. What difference it would have
made in my life if he had !
"The damp chilly days Of October
had come. We had not yet heard OF
Leonard's arrival, and we naturally
felt a little anxious, but tie uncertainty
of the mails at that time would account
for q, the, delay. =, The change in the
weather began to tell upon Albert; he
grew weaker, ,tand no longer took the
slme interest in the books which we
read to him. I told Margaret, one day,
that I feared her brothers end was near.
I found her prepared for it; indeed, she
had realized it, but had not the courage
to speak of it" Povr girl, he had been 4
care to her all her lifesyet, when she
was called to part with him, it seemed
almost impossible to give him up.
"By the first of November q lbert left
us. After the last duties Of love were
performed, I took Margaret back to her
little home. In as gentle manner as ]
could, I asked her what her wishes were
and how could aid her. She said that
she would wait for letter from Leon,
ard, to see what were his prospects. Il
she could 20 to him she would, but il
that was impossible she should look fol
some work to do until his return. Hel
| little fortune had been almost exhs usteC
by her brothers long illness, aud by the
necessarily heavy expenses at the last
On that account she felt obliged to dc
something for her own support, but sht
had enough money left to take her tt
California if that seemed the hes
course.
81 admired her courage, brave girl
There she was, all alone in the world
with no one but her betrothed. who wa
three thousand miles AWAY. I admired