Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-02-27
Machanrsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday February H. 1890

Margaret he said, let me kiss you
once
And before she could reply his burn
ing lips touched her pure cool brow.
God bless you, Margaret, whatever
becomes Of me
In an instant he was gone.
She passed through the gardcnwalk
into the pleasant porch, and stood a
moment before the open parlor window,
where an old gentleman reste'l in an
easy chair.
1T is Il lovely night, father, she said
'but will go to my room, believe
am very weary tonight. ood-night.
Good night, my daughter.'
And Margaret went as usual with her
stately step to her chamber-door; bnt
once within its solitude, and the proud
resolved spirit was bowed In bitter sor-
row.
How she had loved this min. and
her whole frame shook with the sobs
she dared not vent loudly, and the
tears rushed down the proud beautiful
tace. Must she thus condemn HIM, and
was there no hope for him:
He was IL student of medicine, study
ing of late with her father, and m Gag
cr, apt student. lie had come into the
quiet life of this girl as a bright sum
beam. HIS quick active intellect arors
ed her usual life.
His tastes harmonized with her own.
and she had given him her heart en-.
tlrely.
Then, one day, she learned that the
fatal habit of stmu,atln, his energies
when exhausted by study or fatigue had
become necessity to him, and the IN.
terview we have just related WAS the
decision at which she had arrived.
She was girl Of no ordinary charac-
ter. Her clear good sense, with the IN
innate knowledge Of her friends life,
taught her no doubt the lnhEence she
could WELD against the triumphal jug
gernaut, whose victims can never Be
numbered.
Harry Norton left the village for the
distractions of life in Il great city,
! Now and then news came Of him as Il
clever successful practitioner, accom-
panied with doubtful surmses as to GER
tam changes in his habits Of life-vague
speeches, meaning pei haps, much or it,
.Ie
Margaret's life flowed quietly on her
father Welding to the inirmities Of old
age, demanded Der care and attention.
Perhaps close observers might detect
a shade of sadness now and then in
those clear gray eyes, but she WAS not
one OF those who live solely for their
own pleasure, and no one III all the viii
lage was more relied upon in sorrow or
trouble as a kind sympathizer than she.
A young clergyman who settled i'll the
parish was soon observant Of this strong
s. lf-rcliant nature-this tender daugh
ter and kind friend. Margaret was not
doomed to live a solitary life. She
found much tC esteem in -lr. Eluon,
and at last mach to love and one bright
spring morning she stood with hlm at
the village altar as his bride.
As she entered the carriage packet
was given her, and opening it she found
a welding gilt-a brooch formed Of a
large pure pearl, finely set, and let
ter.
The letter was as follows:
INCARCERATION are a pearl among
all others in my memory, and | beg
you to accept this symbol of yourself as
Il Gift from an old friend. You were
right, Marsaret-no man, knowing him
self a slave to intemperance, should eV-
err tempt u woman to share its CURSE
What can | write you of my life ? On
" that there are times when | AIN mad
- when no reason remains to lne-and
/ then cone ont OF this valley Of the
shadow of death, and see you, strong,
pure, so far away from ME. Your
words come back to me, and | know You
were right when you choose to walk a
part from one 50 unworthy. DO not be,
ieve that | do not struggle, but pow
er stronger than | controls .Ae. | can
rejoice in your happiness, and l know
that was once blessed with your love
that my true self was once dear to
you. But purity. rrctitule, were dear
err to Won than aught else, and he who
failed of these could not hold posses
sion of your heart. That one worthy
to be your guide, your stall through HE
has won you, awakens no selfish feeling
in my heart. have said that | can-
| do-rejoI in your happiness.
Happy bride though she was, tears
filled her eyes. She p'tied bin very
tenderly, aud pitiel hIm I'LL the more
because Of her own happiness