St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-15
A NOVEL IN A NUTSHELL.

tbat which aOldeS for ever WIN KIM
heart and gentle thoughts; and her
mind and heart were one. Like brood
ing hen, with her world beneath her
wing, she would have been content to
live for those children of her dreams
that were never to be born. Still a
young girl. she hoped for life, wait
ing IN patient apprenticeship till free
dom and sweet bondage should come at
once, till she could understand love and
live so that she should die in the at
tanned peace that rises from natural
fulfillment.
And in the long twilight of morning
eXpec fancy Maggie Wyatt tended an
other WOman's children on the banks OF
the Australian Murray, just where it
ceases to foam and fret. where 1t prom
iseS to widen and grow deep so that 1T
may bear burdens, even as those DO
who drink its waters until another cup
is offered them.
She loved the children and was pa
tient with them. 1t pleased her to learn
their ways; their mother trusted her,
for she looked calm and sweet. 10 one
who might have known her she would
have been Sweeter, as sweet even as the
golden waffle that crowned the spring.
But among the men there none knew
her worth: they were busy with other
things. Nor, indeed, had she seen
among them even the semblance of her
dream. Yet the shadow of it came at
last and worked with the others OF her
long year among the hills.
He was a tall young fellow of nine
teen, not handsome nor ugly, but quick
and strong to learn what work came to
him. As yet, for all his youthful fancies
of great precociouS knowledge, be had
not even the capability of learning the
hearts of women. That was, perhaps,
To come, but he loved the horses and the
lonely mountains, and the aspect OF the
quiet streams and the cOlors of bright
birds. But soon the others saw and
smiled.
Maggie is very fond of Jack Seaton,"
they said.
But it never occurred to Jack for one
moment. He was so busy in his new
country.
They lived under the same roof, for
he was learning the ways OF the sheep
that browSed upon the hills above them.
SO he often heard her voice as she spoke
to the children. But he never knew
how beautiful a voice 1t was. And
answered he saw her eyes. But he
never saw their beauty, though the
beauty that grew into them was for him
alone. No others ever said they were
lovely. If he had looked upon them IN
some far year when he had learnt good
and evil and was very tired he might
have known. But now he was but all
ignorant child.
One day, it was Sunday and summer.
he asked her if she would walk with
him to the shed where they sheared
the sheep. 1t lay through two gates.
and was half mile away. She walked
exalted, but with downcast eyes, trying
to believe she was with her lover, not
being satisfied to know she was win
Love. Jack talked OF horses ana the
past shearing, and the tricks or sheep,
and the sea, and of England. She knew
he was only boy, and though she was
a full wear younger she felt so strangely
old For the woman who loves is as
old as the race; she has borne the
worlds children. But Jack was very
young still.
They went through the wool shed
and in the big door They sat down in
the heavy shadow that was shot with
blazing sun rays that pierced the worn
and broken roof. Outside the light
beat upon brown grass and the barren
sheep yard. Stray locks of wool grew
odorous in the heat. Just where they
sat was the mark of snake that had
crawled by a week ago-for the dust lay
heavy there. Then puff OF waffle
scent grew about them; the cooler hills
had breathed upon the plain: :.
How beautiful the waffle smells"
said Maggie.
II smell the sheep yolk." answered
Jack, with a smile. And he talked OF
his dog.
AS they went back she took tiny
branch of waffle and gave 1t 10 MIN. he
smeIt it and dropped it as he opened
the garden gate for her. Then he went
to his room and wrote letters home.
She sat by the river all the afternoon
with the children. But her eyes were
on the river. Would her life stream
ever broaden?
"Perhaps," she said. and smiled.
But the summer passed and the win
ter, and Maggie went back to town 10
live with her sister. 1t struck her TO
the very heart to see how little Jack
troubled. 1t pleased her so that her
heart stopped beating when he said he
might soon see her IN town.
II will write and tell you where |
live" said Maggie.
She wrote him letter. She wrote
him many, but only one was sent. and
that was not answered for long time.
When Jacks answer did come he had
seen as little in the timid little word as
he had seen in her timid eyes. For SIX
months he had heard no more. But
then he went down to the town, that
was only forty miles away.
nnn he sat under the
yeranda of his hotel he saw young
woman pass who was dressed In mourn
| ing, she looked at him absently as she
went by. and it seemed to him that he
vaguely remembered her face. lie
asked the townsman who sat near him.
"It's Miss Wyatt" he was told.
Next day he met the same girl in the
street, and stopped. Raising his hat he
| said:
II think YOU are Miss Wyatt? Might
1 ask how your sister is? L knew her al
| Tumut."
She threw one quick glance at him,
and then tears filled her eyes.
"You are Mr.. Seaton?" she said. And
1t was Maggie's very voice.
eyes" answered Jack.
..Maggie is dead" said the girl, and
then she went bitterly. walk with Inc
|
And without saying anything at al
Jack went with her. They came at last
to a little house set back behind a rose
garden. II cannot ask you in. but wait
| Maggie left letter for me to give you
And Jack leaned against the fence
and waited. Maggie's sister returned
in minute, and as she came down the
path he saw Maggie again for a little
space.
"She died week ago. And, Mr.. Seaton
perhaps you didn't know, but Maggie
loved you very much"
Then, though he could not see the
sister, he saw Maggie and heard hel
voice
"How beautiful the waffle smells'
II am sorry, L am SORRY" said Jack.
"Don't be SORRY" said her sister
"good-by !"
And he read the letter in the road:
81 am dying, and you won't be angry
with me, Jack. For loved you. Good
by. am glad that you should know.
| MAGGIE"
And then Jack remembered how beau