Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-31
MARGUERIT TIE.
BY JANE BETTERLUCK.
Rrl.ea Tor TIE snndau Aornt.a Ee.ss.

Inc name rang out on the sou woodland
air in a wild, sad and at the same time
melOdiOUs voice, that trailed and wayered
over the beautiful appellatiOn until nature
herself seemed to thrill at the unwOnted
sounds amid her rural sOlitUdes. The
bIight-eyed birds ceased their sweet songs
and gaZed at each other in alright; the
tender leaves shivered as with the breath
of winter, though spring was smiling Ger
the land; the lilies that grew by the brook
dTOODed their snowy crowns timidly
among the green mOss-but still the
weird sound smOte the sweet
air, and finally reached the ears
Of a party Of three that were
walking slowly down the silyer-white
road that led to the brook, the cool. gentle
little brook, that rippled and sparkled on
its way ''tO join the trimming river now
turning with fOrgiving curve round some
rough rock that stood in its course, now
diving under a network Of grasses and
flowers, and, again, pausing lazily to rest
IN some shaded, messy hollow, finding it
quiet cradle, and cooling and babbling
TO the birds that went there TO drink. The
party consisted Of two gentlemen and
pretty, lragile-lOOking little girl. One of
the former was tall, pale and dark with
an attractive face and a sad but pleasant
smile, coming and going as he looked down
at the child or listened with polite atten-
ton to his other companion, who was
"
that seemed TO know only smiles and mid
dle-aged dimples, which just now he was
displaying most literally. As the sad
notes were borne 10 them on the sunny
air. they all paused, and the little girl
drew closer 10 the tall gentleman, as II
she, too, were frightened like the birds
and the flowers.
s.v said, in low voice, ''"AO
can that be. 1t frightens me-"
He laid his hand on her head. From
some inexpIicable cause, he was quite
pale as he opened his lips to answer, but
his rosy companion prevented him.
''SOuuds like some poor mother that has
N1Ost her child, or perhaps it is one of the
crazy creatures from the asylum over
there"
'.What! Doctor, you do not mean to
say there is an asylum for the insane in
the neighbOrhOOd"
He was decidedly moved now TO some
YES replied the Doctor, composed
", "a friend of mine-Dr. GOrdOn-has
charge Eft"
"G0rdOn! [ might have known it! But
when you kindly asked me to bring Bessie
out here to recuperate, DR.. Baum, had
no suspicion that you were near Cor
dOn's." This was said musingly-half-
uncOnsciOusly. Then, as If shaking OF a
painful memory. he remarked, hastily:
"But no matter! 1t need not affect US"
''No.'' responded his friend, watching
him a trife curiOusly; sit cannot affect
you. Why should it,"
The young man glanced quickly at the
child
"W lille ENJOYING your kind hospitality,
my dear doctor, nothing should anect US
unpleasantly.n ~,
ssMarguerite! Marguerite!' The thrill
ing voice was nearer now.
'John. you said that | had beautiful
sister once named Marguerite. DO you
think she is calling my sister,"
John held closer the little hand that was
slipped into his.
- did say so, my dear; but, You know,
also told you that she had gone to heaven
so It cannot be our Marguerite that this
woman is calling.'
,'Jobn Cliftonp' exclaimed the doctor,
in an excited undertone, ''lOok throuEn.
those trees, and you viii see the owner OF
that mysterious voice. She has stopped
calling. and is accommodating from the
cover Of Wonder big oak. There is not
doubt in my mind that it is one OF Cor
don's patients escaped. Won't there De
pretty cOmmOtiOn now"
John looked and. indeed, saw, at only
short distance, the figure OF woman, VINO
seemed 10 be scrutinizing the party sus-
picIOusIy. Satisfied with the appearance
OF the strangers, she moved towards them,
and, as the warm sunlight fell upon her
slight figure. they saw that she was be-
low the medium size of woman and
dressed in a simply-made black robe, that
was torn and disurdered, with leaves and
shreds of grass clinging about H. her
head was uncovered, and her sllVer-grey
hair hung in a loose, half-cOll on her neck,
&c If from iuattentiOn il had slipped from
its former arrangement. Something about
the graceful, naughty step and SAD. quleV
expression indicated the lady unmlstak-
ably. though a physiOgnomlst would nave
traced in the pale face mucn mat III lOI-
mer DAYS was passion, ambition and NOR
dinate pride. Now, however, 1t seemed
only aneuished and sOrTOwful, and IN the
large black eyes there glittered nght
that was madness-Qnly madness! ohe
glanced keenly around, and then, IN
voice that was heart-breaklng IN us Dur
den of woe, she exclaimed:
ssGentlemen. 1 have lost a lovely daugh-
ter. She left me but little While ago,
and now l cannot lind her; yet am sure
she passed this way. Did you see herr
Oh! did you see herE
s.No. Madame" replied DR.. Baum; "no
one has passed US this morning"
At the first sound Of her voice, Jonn
clifton had nut out his hand and clutched
a Young tree for support, while his face
blanched to a deadly wilderness. Inc
lady looked disappointed, but Frightening
Immediately, she said:
sIPerhaps, If l describe her, you will
remember to have seen her, for must
believe that she is near. She wears
dark-blue dress and a hat with white
plumes, Her face is fair-as fair as that
filv that grows at your feet. Her eyes are
like the blue orbs Of that child, and her
hair is IS radiant as the sunlight. On!
nv child is beautiful. You can never Tor
get Marguerite when once you have seen
her. No; she was too lovely 10 forget
professional GOODNESS. But the lady
turned, with no surprise, but much eager
ness. to Clifton, who had started up with
flushed face and glowing eyes.
"You have seen my daughter, sir
Where did she goW
did not answer Immediately, and she eX-
claimed, Yehemently:
sob, il you have seen her, tell me, I'M
pIore YOU. But and her voice sank to a
thrilling whisper-"there is one particu-
lar which omitted: Her beautiful yell
low hair was stained with blood, ana a
crimson drop was on her white face, ana
her ewes were opened wide and looking at
me with look that L cannot forget. Her
head dropped down, and they said that my
darling was dead! But it was not so, for
i saw her this morning walking through
the woods. Oh, where is my childP
She was growing more excited, and,
looking around wildly, she flung up her
arms and clasped her hands convulsively
above her head.
Clifton stepped nearer, and, looking
firmly into the flashing dark eyes, he said
SsBirs. st. Julian, have you only one
ehildS Have you not another daughter ~
ssNo, MOI "she cried, impatiently, way
ing him of with a fierce gesture, "Do not
detain me. must find my child, my poor
daughter-my beautiful MarguerlteP
Again she raised her voice and called;
s'Margueritel MargueriteV
The young man looked up, as IL ne WOuI9
try again to engage a mind that seemed
so concentrated on one object as TO ex-
clude all others; but the doctor touched