The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-02-02

John had playtully ychristened "Midg-
et,' but who was always in my
thoughts Margaret. SO l addressed
her now:
"Miss Margaret, how can it be
possible that you are here, risking
yourlife in this fevered atmosphere
She gave me her hand quietly, as
if it had been but yesterday that we
parted.
II have been in the midst of the
worst of it" she said; "for 1 came to
D (naminga a city few miles
distant)-six months ago. There /
have been since, until yesterday. l
was sent here TO take the place of a
nurse who has been taken sick"
"But your aunt, where is she?" |
asked; "and my friend, your cousin?
have had no word from him for a
long time"
An expression Of sadness clouded
her face.
"Did you not know" she exclsim-
ed "that both my dear aunt and my
noble young cousin-all had in the
world to love and be loved by-were
taken from me within one short
month"; Oh, it was hard!' was
almost beside myself with grief
Then | read of the suffering in the
South and the need ofnurses. l was
alone in the world4no circle would
be broken by.my. loss-and Lthsught
that perhaps in hard work could be
able to drown my sorrows. So |
came.n
As she spoke l gazed with amaze
ment at the brave woman before me,
(for though young in years, "girl''
she could be called no longer.)
"The first month l took the fever u
she continued, "but my perfect health
brought me through quickly"
Truly the ways of Providence are
mysterious! How little | ever
thought that l should meet Margaret
Hope in such manner and place.
After that l saw her daily; saw her
kneeling in prayer by the dying, OF
Willing away the weary hours ofcon.
valesence by her beautiful, CHEEKY
presence.
A month passed. 1t was cooler
weather now, and the fever was al
an end. The time had come when
services we're no longer indispensable
and l could return to my Northern
home. / called to bid Miss Hope
good-by.
. found her alone. We talked
awhile, and suddenly, although my
reason told me it was madness-im'
PEELED by an inward prompting l
could not resist, l disclosed to my
listener the love which had been
hidden in my heart all the long
years which had passed since we last
met. AS my passionate words fell on
her ear a faint rose-drift tinged the
snow Of her exquisite face. Ah, l saw
only too clearly by tho difference that
existed between her great loveliness
and my poor, MANNED body, how fool
ish was even to hope, and yet
kept on.
Then bowling my answer. 1t came
tin words. Soft, round arms, CLASP
my neck-a tender, tear-wet face
pressed itself to mine; there close BY
my side, with eyes whose joyful light
cleaned through a mist Of tears, wat
Margaret.
Robert, take me-" she whispered
81 am yours, 'Undine has found hel
soulr"
So she had heard me say thatl-
Well, l tell her later, my Of
fense is Cancelled, for | too overheard
a remark never meant for my ears
a remark which was the means o.
forcing me to keep silence then anc
ever since till now.
Was ever man SO blest as II As
picture the future-my love lit home
and the beautiful companion who il
to be Its guardian-angel, sense o
thankfulness rises in me too deep fol
words, for surely, this side of the
heavenly shore God can give to mar
no more precious gift than that of {
noble, loving wife. /.