The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-17

new trouble has overtaken you, for 1t
cannot be possible that you still mourn
for AiargeTy
MAUD, my dear sister" says Fred,
sadly there are wounds that cannot
be healed Ny sorrow is as poignant
today II was the day my Margery
died Then observing his mother and
sister in tears, he continued: Let not
my sorrow OvershadOw your merry
Christmas, said he, wiping the tears
from his eyes, and continued in lower
tone of voice: Tomorrow is the ami
versary of my bereavement. 1t is
day of mourning for me, so please do
not ask me To join the merry throng
YOU are expecting tomorrow, for / shall
never more mingle in society. It was
the love of pleasure 1 saw in assocla-
tion that blighted and FILTERED my
whole life so in far away Colorado L
dwell alone with one man servant. L
sometimes assist the cowboys with the
herds. which is my only amusement
Maud was all this time silently weep
ing. and as he drew to close she en-
treated him to unburden his grief to
her and mother. They had longed to
know the cause of his changed life.
Fred sat for few moments in mourn
full thought, and then answered: Yes,
] viii try to tell you ALL but not to-
night-nor tomorrow; but on the fol-
lowing day you shall hear my story"
Christmas morning dawned fair and
beautiful. The mist and fog of the pre-
viOus day had CONCEALED on every shrub
and tree. and now glfttered like as
many diamonds under the morning sun.
Maud sighed as through her bed
room window she caught the glimpse Of
natures loneliness. "Ohi my brother,
for his sake l shall be glad when this
holiday is over. 1 presume our guests
will expect much of me today" thought
Maud as she again glanced out the
window. but how little 1 shall enjoy
myself this day as / render my assist
ance so listlessly. How like mockery
will be this days festivities to Freds
breaking heart"
As everything earthly will pass away,
so ended Christmas day with its merri-
ment and feasting.
Seated around the sparkling fire next
morning after the first errands of the
day had been done Fred begins to tell
his story to his mother and sister.
Il see" says Fred, as he began, that
you are waiting for me to fulfill my
promise. To you it is unnecessary for
me to speak of my courtship with pretty
Margery Langley. We met. loved and
We're united in marriage. Margery, as
you know. was the only daughter of a
country clergyman, residing on Maple
| farm, and a lovely place it was. with its
green meadows and fertile fields.
Here Margery was reared to posses
in woman. You have seen her portrait
You know she was faultlessly beautiful
After our marriage my business called
me TO the city. where it was necessary
for me to reside. ] had rooms neatly
furnished for her reception. The day
| we took possession Of them I think il
was the happiest Of my life. 1 watched
/ my darling with pride as she fitted from
! place TO place, making such changes as
| she deemed necessary How the dim
| pies came and went in her peach-blos-
| som cheeks as the happy smiles
| wrelthed her scarlet lips. Presently she
| approached me as I reclined on the
couch. She spoke my name softly and
| twined her arms lovingly around my
neck. I returned the rapturous kiss she
| gave me. and pressed her loved form to
my breast.
Dear Fred she whispered, will this
! last always? VIII We always be happy
! as we are today
Days and weeks passed swiftly and
/ Margery and [ were inSeparable Low
/ ingly we strolled through the park. and
| out through the country we would take
| pleasant drives. At times she would
! spend evening with me i'm my office.
/ She attended entertainments with me,
| but would take no part I'm the amuse-
! ments. If she was asked TO play or sing
] her blue eyes would seek mine before
/ taking her seat at the piano. She
/ played well and her voice was commend
/ ably sweet. She loved home and spoke
/ Of it as her earthly heaven. Our home
was endearing to all who visited it.
| THE time came when Margery ceased
| to accompany me, for no persuasion
/ could induce her TO go. The ready blush
| would suffuse her cheeks while she del
icately declined going. Please do not
| ask me to go she would kindly say,
for | would much rather remain at
| home You do not care then% L in
| quired, if l go out in town? oh, no.,
she replied, If you wish to CO.
ION one occasion as 1 was getting
| ready TO attend a fashionable ball she
came and put her little hands in mine,
saying, Fred dear Fred, please stay
| with me tonight. / will sing and play
| for you. / am so lonely when you are
| gone Don't be so foolish l responded
| in a halfway cold tone of voice, don't
| be foolish, little wife You will be fast
| asleep, having pleasant dreams, when
| return. This is to be the grandest af-
| fair of the season. So at this juncture
| l donned my coat, and putting on my
| gloves, kissed her and walked rapidly
] from the room
''Margery's pale face seemed to rise
before me while the large. innocent eyes
| looked pleadingly into mire. / seemed
| to feel the soft clasp Of the little hands
| again as she had entreated me 20 stay
| with her 1 tried and tried to Danish
| the unpleasant feelings that had taken
| possession Of my mind. ] did not enjoy
/ myself at all. / was restless and unhap-
| by. j returned home early and found
| Margery sleeping quietly. What power
| her presence had over me while my fore
| bodings vanished. and I was again the
same Iight-hearted Fred. I kissed the
| little white hand as it lay lightly on the
white counterpart. Thus 1 retired for
| the night.
II was courted by society. No place
| Of amusement was considered perfect un-
| less / was there. Again and again I had
| vowed ! would GO no more.
| "Of late temptations came thick and
| fast and there was a great change which
| had taken place in Margery. The roses
| had faded from her cheeks and her beau
| tiful eyes had a mournful expression i'm
| them. She never complained, but the
J spiritual beauty of her face daily in
| creased. She grew more timid and re-
! served. and never asked me to stay with
i her as she had once done. You may
| feel sure was troubled aboua her. and
| tried to lay this great change TO her
| delicate health. Poor little Margeryi
/ Why could not have solved the mys-
| terry? Why did II not then occur to me