Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-04
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
50 there was nothing lett for Magdalen
20 do but read and re-read that brief mes
sage from her dead father, traced in faint,
uncertain characters on the fly leaf OF a
book, think of all bis loving care and pro-
tectlons, weep broken-hearted tEat she
should never again see him.
No use now TO wait or look forward to
the END Of the war and a happy reunion.
or "a time 1t did not seem 10 her Lnat she
had anything TO do, any hope OF life.
Nothing awaited her at home, nothing
good orjoylui awaited her anywhere; all
seemed emptiness, desolatiOn.
'All has been taken from me" she said
to herself, "all! alp
The sunny spring days heightened,
and the enemy withdrew their
boats from before the town, and
rumors OF peace filed the air. The girl
heard them with almost Indifference
for sorrow swallowed up even her love.
sister Angellque left her alone at first,
until she could overcome the first shock,
until the keenest edge had worn from her
4 gfief then, softly, tenderly she began to
/ talk TO her, just a few words at first then
more eloquently, leading her to resigna-
uOn-peace.
They became close friends in those
days. Magdalen could not help feeling
grateful to the gentle sister for her in
/ terest her thoughtful care, and then she
remembered other friends, and the pain
ID her heart grew less bitter.
Mr.. Johnson suffered from bad wound
and recovered slowly, and his parents
would not return home until they could
/ take nm with them, 50 Magdalen ramb-
led about the old town, visited the sick
soldiers with Sister Angeiique and tried
to take some interest IN the lite about
her, and the faith and patience she had
( cultivated all the years Of the war, helped
her.
1t was the latter part of April when
they started home, and the surrender Of
Lee and Johnston had decided the down
lall OF the COnfederacy. Magdalen had
not looked ahead, or made any plans for
the future; she could not yet. She had
not heard from home, but before they
reached LarOch, evil tidings met them.
/ Mr. GustaVe Farrar aud Mrs. HOnoria
Cammack were both dead.
Magdalen heard the news calmly.
Her tather's death had prepared her for
I anything, but when she reached Cam
mack, and COrdelia pale and heavy eyed,
came out to meet her and fell weeping
into her arms, she instinctively assumed
the role OF comforter.
/ Together they visited the new made
grave, and between her sobs, Cordelia
told how quickly and peacefully her mo-
I Their had dieu.
And she left message for you, Mag
dalen. She was sorry that she could not
see you again and ask you to forgive her
he pride and foOlishness which mad
caused her TO sacrifice you once, and she
SAID, God bless her daughter Magdaien,
Lawrence's wife, for she desired, earn
estly desired you to marry brother If be
| ever returned home. Our trouble has
all come, just at the end OF the war"
well, we must bear it. the best we
can" said Magdalen heavily.
Old Manse received her young mistress
with open arms, and the girl laid her
| mead on Tat faithful breast, listened to
the homely comforting words, which fell
from those black lips, her sore heart eased
8little.
What shall we do, Manses"
$50 IN de way which seems laid out fer
us, honey"
Mr.. Grant had made provisions for his
daughter, bearing the probability of his
own death IN mind, but even IL he had
not, she would have been well provided
Tor, for two days after her return home
a lawyer waited upon her to inform her
that Mr.. Farrar mad left the bulk OF his
fortune to her.
You are, comparatively speaking, a
rich woman Miss Grant. Allow me to
congratulate you"
She received the news without any
satisfaction, heartily wishing her old
friend could have lived to spend and en-
JOY 1t himself.
Il do not want it, / have no use for 1t, :"
she said attrst.
"But my dear young lady you will have
a use for it, and | know my old friend
would be deeply hurt, il he knew you re-
fused his gift"
so Magdalen had to accept hor fortune.
though she left the management OF it ali
in the hands OF the worthy lawyer, who
professed himself deeply grattied at the
trust she repOsed in him, a polite little
speech she scarcely heard.
IL was a sad day to her when they
packed up the simple household stuhs,
swept and busted the little house. locked
the door and went to Laroch.
"GOu are free woman Manse. You
can 20 where you please now and ma sc
your home," said Magdalen.
Good Lord! honey where is gwne ef
YOU turn me out? she cried in a sort Of
horror.
But do not turn you out. / should
be desOlate indeed II you left me, but |
want you to know that you are free, free
as am
Eyes, an lse gwine 10 stay. with you
too" she SAID firmly and conclusively
Col. Cammack and his brOther-in-law
came home in May, and the old house
frightened up wonderfully; though the
! WNOle place wore an air OF sad neglect.
Some Of the negro cabins were already
empty, for the old master had called them
together and explained their freedom To
them. and some of them had oyfully de-
/ parted as il eager to test it, TO try It,
while others still chung TO the plantation.
very small crop had been planted, and
it struggled up, choked with grass and
weeds.
Lawrence Cammack looked about
4 him, and can it be wondered at II he gave
one sharp sigh FOR the fair promises OF
past yearsf
OF course he inquired after Magdalen,
and listened grayely when they told him
/ o. her fathers death and OF hertheiresship,
and right there old Anthan Cammack
made a breach between the two, he 80
anXiously desired TO see united. He re-
lated the brief conversation he had held
with her before her departure 10 the
river, and the pride and reserve she had
displayed.
"But OF course she needs only 4 little
I COaXinC. Go over 70 town and see her."
But over the ColonePs bronzed cheek
passed a flush, and he put down the hat
he had picked up. From one extreme he
had gone to another. The self confidence
+ of his younger years bad been replaced
by doubt aud distrust of mis- own attrac-
tive qualities; and then pride reyolted AT
tho thought OF Offering his broken for
tunes to the woman, his family once de-