Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1878 — A BUNCH OF ROSES. [ARTICLE]

A BUNCH OF ROSES.

Maggie Denne was standing on the terrace in the rectory garden at Wittlesieigh, gazing over the lovely bay, when a young man came close and gently placed his hands over her blue eyes. •“ Frank, how dare you 1” she exclaimed; “ let me go thia instant I” The hands were immediately withdrawn, and the fair girl turned round half angrily, to encounter the rude disturber of her reverie. “Why, Algy, is it you? How did you get here? I thought you were at Motcombe. This is a surprise !” she added; “papa will be so glad, and Frank, too.” “ And you, Maggie ?” said Algy, as he shook banJs with her warmly, venturing upon a gentle pressure of her taper lingers. “Of course, I am delighted, particularly as Jessie Hamblyn is coming today. You recollect her ?” “ Oh, perfectly; she used to be my ideal of beauty until——” He stopped. “Until that terrible attack cost her her eyesight, you mean. Yes, indeed, she was a lovely girl. 1 admire your taste, Algy.” “I did not exactly mean that,” he replied; “ 1 meant ” “Nevermind just now, but tell me, like a good fellow, is that the smoke of the steamer over there? If so, I must go and tell Robert to get the pony chaise ready. ” Algy shaded his eyes from the glare, and l»ent all his powers of vision upon the tiny cloud on the horizon. I t was indeed a fair scene upon which his eyes rested. The blue waters of the bay were flecked with foam, as the brisk breeze met the restless sea on the floodtide. Till now, Maggio had in vain sought for a token of the vessel, aud with shaded eyes had watched the wide expanse, at times almost despairing. But now all doubt was removed. The black streak grew more and more delined; a long trail of smoke extended far across the blue distance.

“ Come along,” said Maggie; “we must tell papa and Frank. They will be astonished to see you. By the way, do you generally greet your lady friends at Motcombe as you did me just now? ’ Algy blushed as he replied, “Of course not; besides, 1 have no particular friends there.” “Oh ! Not Miss Luttrell? and Miss Alice—is it Alice—Carrington? Fie, Algy, fie ! what would they say to hear you disown them thus? But here is Frank.”

Ah she spoke, her cousin, Frank Carson, appeared. He walked slowly, and with a peculiar watchful gait, but he turned his head neither to the right nor left, as he approached the merry pair. “Well; Frank, old fellow, how are you?” exclaimed Algy, heartily,as he exfended his hand. “Why, Algy Vernon, back already! AVe thought you were studying medicine, or cutting people’s legs' off to keep your hand in for surgery. Oh, you truant!” The young men shook hands warmly. “ Have you been here long this time? ’ asked Algernon. “About a fortnight,” was the reply; “Maggie’s school-chum is coming—I am very anxious indeed to make her acquaintance. I understand she’s lovely -«-not that her good looks matter to me—” Algy was about to make a reply when Maggie made him a sign not to speak. “ Will you come and meet her, Frank? We are going.” “ Of course. I shall be delighted to welcome her. I’ll go and get some flowers for her—a bunch of roses will do.” As he spoke he walked quietly away. “ What did you mean by telegraphing to me in that mysterious manner?” asked Vernon.

*>' Frank doesn’t know that Jessie is blind now, so don’t tell him. She may recover her eyesight, the doctors say. Perhaps your skill may prove of use.” “Not much, I am afraid,” said Algernon, sighing. “ But I’ve made the eyes my study, too. Now your eyes—” But whatever compliment ho intended to convey was cut short by Maggie’s sudden departure. In half an hour the party were all ready to proceed to the wharf. The pony-chaise led the way at a brisk pace, while a cart for the visitor’s luggage followed more soberly. The steamer soon came alongside, and Maggie’s quick glance at once descried her friend. “There she is, Algy, and Barton is with her, as usual. What a kind creature she is!” Barton recognized the party at the same moment, and told her young mistress, who turned round and waved her hand.

Jessie flamblyn must have possessed no ordinary share of beauty before the fell ravages of small-pox had deprived her of sight. Even now her almost classic features were very striking, and her open lids at a distance did not betray the terrible trial to which she had been subjected. Fortunately, the disease had not marked her to any perceptible extent, and, had her eyes been spared, her beauty would have remained almost unimpaired. Her tall, well-formed figure was drawn up as if in defiance of the pity she knew was felt for her, and of maty kind expressions which her quick sense of hearing caught and resented. At first she had rebelled terribly against the will that had mercifully chastised her, but lately she ha-d bqweq h e l head to

the decrees of Providence, and almost without a murmur.

“ How glad I am to see you,!” she exclaimed—“ I mean, to know lam with you once again, dear Maggie I How kind you are I” “Dearest Jessie," whispered her friend, “we are all delighted you have come, and looking so well too. Here are two young gentlemen waiting to be introduced; though I think you have met Algy Vernon before.” “Oh, yes! I recollect Mr. Vernon quite weft. We had a famous picnic to the glen, I think it was.” “ Quite right, Miss Hamblyn. What a memory you have! ” replied Vernon, as he shook hands with her. “ This is my cousin, Trank Carson, of whom you may have heard,” continued Maggie. “He has brought you a bouquet” Maggie took them from her cousin and placed them in the blind girl’s grasp. Jessie inhaled the perfume for a few moments, and then placed them in the bosom of her dress. “ Oh, what lovely roses I” she cried. “Thank you so much, Mr. Carson !” “ Now, dear, let me escort you,” said Maggie. “J. see your invaluable Barton has already got your luggage ashore. This way, dear. ” ‘ * Algy, you and I must follow as we cannot lead,” said Frank, as he took his friend’s arm. “Isay,” he whispered, “what a beautiful voice she has got, hasn’t she? You’ll be falling in love, old fellow, eh ?” “Not I,” replied his friend; “I’m not equal to a goddess like Miss Hamblyn. Besides, you know—” He stopped suddenly, remembering Maggie’s caution. “Well, besides what? Don’t mind me,” said Frank. “ Oh, dear, no; the fact is, I’m rather sweet on some one else, you see. She was delighted with those roses, I can tell you. What a thoughtful fellow you are I I never can do those pretty things.” “Then, friend Algy, take a lesson now and a rose next time. ” They all drove rapidly back to the rectory. Mr. Denne met them on the steps. “ Welcome to Wittiesleigh,” he exclaimed in his cheery voice. “Jessie, my dear, I am delighted to see you. Come in ;” and pressing a fatherly kiss on the wide forehead he led his beautiful visitor into the drawing-room. “Luncheon is ready,” he said, “so when you young ladies have exchanged confidences we will sit down. Do not be too long, dear,” he added to his daughter.

“We shall be ready in a minute, papa,” replied Maggie. “ Scarcely, I think,” said the rector, laughing. “But do not forget I breakfasted at 7 this morning.” “ What a nice fellow your cousin must be, Maggie? Fancy his taking the trouble to gather these lovely roses I I wish I could see them,” she added with a smile. “But, Maggie, dear, what do you think ? one doctor in London told papa that perhaps I might some day recover my sight—l do so hope he is right. He wanted to galvanize me, or something I” “ Of course he is right, dear; he never would have been so cruel. Ho could not have held out hopes if he were not quite sure I”

“Oh, Maggie, fancy! Just fancy being able to see tiie sea, the sky, the flowers and you, you darling, once again. But it is too good to be true. It is quite impossible I” A weary sigh closed the sentence. “Not impossible, dear. So let uhope for the best. Hope and pray, and trust in God’s mercy.” Jessie bent down and kissed her kind friend, aud then the two girls had a “ good cry” together. Nearly two months passed away and still the party at Wittiesleigh Rectory remained the same. To those of my readers who have stayed in sweet South Devon I need not explain the pleasant life which young people can, and I believe do, lead in that land of picnics. Love in these latitudes ripens with the strawberries, and comes as naturally as cream; so the young couples at the Rectory paired off almost unconsciously. Such an arrangement in the case of Algy Vernon and Maggie Denne was not surprising, for they had been acquainted from childhood. Mrs. Vernon and the late Mrs. Denne had been school-fellows. They bad never severed the friendship thus initiated, and what was more natural than that the affection entertained by the parents should descend to the children? At any rate, Algy was deeply in love with the pretty Maggie; and she, though not so preoccupied respecting him, thought her old friend very nice, indeed, and, if the truth were told, preferred him to all her numerous admirers. But Frank Carson and Jessie Hamblyn had no such excuse. Yet the influence of the Devonshire air Was such as to kindle a spark, which showed symptoms of bursting out into a very decided flame, indeed. The train of sympathy was laid; it required but that spark to be applied to it, and then the barriers of prudence would give way before the explosion. If Algernon and Maggie understood each other, so did Frank and Jessie, and the numerous excursions and picnics in which they passed the afternoons only served to rivet their bonds closer.

One sultry afternoon a last excursion was planned to the Fairy Gleu. The paity had been increased on this occasion by three couples from a neighboring parish, and, despite the threatening appearance of certain huge masses of cloud, the expedition started. The romantic spot which Maggie—no mean judge in these matters—had selected for the afternoon meal was one of those lovely bits of landscape so familiar to many of us. A brawling stream makes its way amidst moss-covered bowlders, over pebbly shallows, and swirls beneath the wild flowers beneath its banks. Then, gliding calmly into an unruffled pool, it lazily creeps beneath a picturesque bridge, through the single arch of which ancient structure the moor is seen, extending its wide, undulating curves. And then the water, secure in its pride of high birth in yonder hills, takes no heed of the narrow passage till, ere it is aware, it is caught in a rapid, and hurried over the cascade to the sea, where it is lost forever. Such were the features of the woodland dining-room on that eventful day—a dav never to be forgotten by any member of that merry party.

The cloth was soon laid beside the stream, and, when all was ready, full justice was done to the al fresco meal. More than once a muttered growl or sul>dued roll was heard over the hills, but the suggestion of thunder was met by the reply that the sound was merely the echoes of the blasting operations at the quarries, or the rattling of the trucks on tne neighboring tramway. The air got more and more sultry, and even the insects seemed to sleep. The trees whispered to each other, and their topmost branches waved a gentle welcome to the scarcely felt breeze that stirred the leaves. The picnic party broke into groups after dinner; the groups into pairs, each cautioning the others not to go too far, as there was a storm brewing. Frank and Jessie did not wander away. Escorted by Algernon and Maggio to artistic seat above the stream, close to a tall and sheltering tree, they sat together, while the more venturesome of the party climbed the tall rocks, or wandered up the stream, leaping from stone -to stone, where assistance and much holding of hands was a necessity. Oh, ye Devon streams, for what are ye jjQt responsible ? gow many happy

faces ye have mirrored in your sparkling waters! Frank and Jessie chatted for some time on indifferent subjects, until at last she sighed deeply, and said half absently: “ Oh, how very soiry I shall be to leave here! I have been so happy !” Then she added, suddenly: “ Every one has been so very kind to me !” “lam dreadfully sorry you must go,” he said, with an answering sigh, and somehow, as he spoke, we know not how—how does it ever happen?—their hands touched; his fingers clasped hers and hers were not withdrawn. The train was fired ! “ Jessie, dearest Jessie,” he whispered, “ can you love me ? Will you be my wife ?” There was no reply, unless an almost imperceptible pressure of the taper fingers could be so termed. Frank took it for assent, and, bending down, he kissed the lovely face once, twice, thrice, till the cheeks were as brilliant as the crimson rose Jessie wore in her dress. “My own, my darling!” was all he said. A sharp peal of thunder passed away unheeded as he spoke. After a pause he resumed: “So you do love me, Jessie ! I never thought you would care for me, dear. ” “Indeed I do,” she whispered; “why should I not? But I often wonder that you selected me as your companion all these weeks, for I am so unfortunate,” “Why, my darling, how are you unfortunate?” and he passed his arm around her taper waist. ‘ ' Because—because —oh ! I cannot bear to mention it; though I do not mind now—at least, not nearly so much.” “ But what is this terrible reason why I should not love you, Jessie ? Tell me, dearest.” “Oh, Frank! that is like your kind sympathy for me. Of course, you guess. It is because lam blind, you know!” Frank recoiled as if he had been stung, a choking gasp escaped him, and he could not speak for a moment. “ Blind !” he repeated at length, as if in a dream; “ blind I Oh, Jessie ! So am II” It was too true. Blind from his birth, Frank Carson had never dreamed that Jessie was afflicted like himself. Maggie had never told him this, and the terrible fact was now revealed to the lovers for the first time. Frank’s knowledge of the ground and neighborhood in which he had lived for years had enabled him to keep Jessie in ignorance of his infirmity, which he of course fancied she was aware of. And had it come to this after all! Jessie seized his hand. “ Oh, do not tell me that! Frank, dear Frank, say you can see me ! Have you never seen me, never at all ?” She waited breathless for his answer. It fell almost like a blow. “Never!” And this was the end of her dream of love I She had been so very happy to think that one man at least had been so kind and sympathetic; that one man had seen her vacant eyes and scarred face, and had loved her for herself alone, not for her beauty and her wealth. But now—the charm was snapped—the golden bowl was broken ! She bent her head. A great warm drop fell upon her hand, now clasped in his once more. She started as she felt it. He was suffering, too. She drew herself up, a beautiful smile upon her face, then bending toward him she pressed a kiss,’the first kiss of her pure lips, upon his forehead. “ ‘For better, for worse, till death do us part,’ dear Frank, I am yours, if you will take me so !” “ 'Till death do us part,’ ” he repeat-, ed, solemnly, and he in turn was stooping to his love when— A hot and brilliant flash of light rent the cloud overhead, a rattling peal of thunder followed it to earth, and Frank and Jessie lay extended beneath the riven tree, hand in hand, to all appearance locked in sleep—the sleep that knows no waking. Till death did them part! Was this to be their parting, on the threshold of their lives ? Peal after peal of thunder rattled overhead, the lightning flashed around them, the rain poured down in torrents, and there they lay unconscious of the elemental war—asleep!

“ Merciful Heaven, have pity on them!” It was the rector who spoke, as he and some others of the party came suddenly upon the senseless forms beneath the tree. Was the prayer heard ? We dare not speculate on subjects such as this. Who can tell ? The bodies were borne to a cottage close by; the light clasp of the fingers was unloosed at length. Jessie, the bunch of roses contrasting so with her pallid face, was laid upon a bed; Frank was in the next room, insensible still. A stifled sigh first proclaimed to Maggie Denne that her heartfelt prayer had been answered, and Jessie sat upright. Turning to her kind attendant, she said, faintly: “ Maggie, dearest!” Maggie, full of joy, hastened to the bed. There was Jessie Hamblyn, indeed; but it was the Jessie of old. Her eyes were wide open and full of life ! “It is true, Maggie, darling; it is true, and I can see you again—I can, I can! Look, here are my roses, there you stand. Oh, thank Heaven, I cap see the sky once more !” She fell back exhausted, then, rising again, cried: “Is it true about Frank 1 I love him, he loves me; the lightning struck us—yes, but gave me sight for him. Thank God ! Where is Frank ?” she inquired, after a pause. “In the next room,” said Maggie, as she wiped away her happy tears. “ Ob, Jessie, how thankful we all are! We feared the worst for both!” At this moment the rector entered softly. “ Oh, come in, papa, come in; dailing Jessie can see us all again. Is it not wonderful 1 lam so thankful!” “It is indeed wonderful,” replied Mr. Denne. “ And now,” he said, after he had affectionately congratulated Jessie, “I have more good news; Frank has recovered, and has asked for Jessie. May he come in?”

“I will go to him,” she said, rising from the bed. And before they could stou her she had hurried ausay to the next room where, lying upon a sofa, was poor Frank Carson. She hastened towards him. “ Oh, Frank! ” she cried, “dearest Frank, I am so glad.” Then, blushing rosy red, she whispered. “Till death do us part. God has given me my eyesight once again, to nurse and tend you all my life. Dear, dear Frank !” He said no word till, rising up, he knelt beside the sofa, and Jessie’s thanksgiving and his went up to heaven together. But little remains to be told. The lovers were united before many months had passed. Algernon and Maggie soon followed the good example set them by Jessie and her lover. On the former wedding-day the only gift presented to the lovely bride by her devoted husband, Frank, was a bunch of roses.— Cassell's Magazine.

A Buffalo Aiderman astonished the board, in a meeting for consideration as to the building of a new jail, by remarking : “I makes der motion as der new jail be build on der same spot as der old jail what’s now standing ; dat saves der money for der land, and I makes der motion as der old jail shall not bp pull down till der new jail is built, so ve vill not be der jail.”