LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1408, 20 August 1878, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A BUNCH OF ROSES. (Cat cell's Magazine.') ' CHAPTER THE FIR*T. Maggie Henne was standing on the terrace in the Rectory garden at Wittlosleigh, gazing over the lovely bay, whan a young man came close and gently placed his hands over her blue eyes. ‘ Frank, how dare you 1 ’ she exclaimed ; ‘ let me go this instant.’ The hands were immediately withdrawn, and the fair girl turned round, half angrily, to encounter the rude disturber of her reverie.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 a surprise ! ’ she added; ‘ papa will be so glad, and Frank too.’ ‘ And you, Maggie ? ’ said Algy, as he shook hands with her warmly, venturing upon a gentle pressurs of her taper fingers. ‘Of course, f am delighted, particularly as Jessie Hamblyn is coming to day. ‘ 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. I admire your taste, Algy ” • I did not exactly mean that,’ he replied ; ‘ I meant ’

‘ Never mind just now, but tell me, like a good fellow, is that the smoko 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 bent all his powers of vision upon the tiny cloud on the horizon.

It was indeed a fair scene upon which his eyes rested the blue waters of the bay were flocked with foam, as the brisk breeze met the restless sea on the flood tide. Till now Maggie had in vain sought for a token of the vessel, and with shaded eyes had watched the wide expanse, at times almost despairing But now a I doubt was removed, the black streak grew more and more defined ; 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 Montcombeas you did me just now V Algy blushed as he replied, *Of course not; besides, I have no particular friends there ’

‘Oh ! Not Miss Luttrel? and Miss Alice —is it Alice—Carrington 1 Fie, Algy, fie ! what would they say to hear you disown them thus! Hut here is Frank.’

As lie spoke her cousin. Frank Carson, appeared, He walked slowly and with a peculiar watchful gait but he tamed hi* head neitner to the right nor left, as he approached the merry pair ‘ Well, Frank, old fellow, how are you ?’ exclaimed Algy heartily, as he extended his hand

‘Why, Algy Vernon, back already! We thought you were studying medicine, or cutting people’s legs off to keep your hand in for surgery; Oh. y u 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—l am very anxious indeed to make her acquaintance. I understand she’s lovely not that her good looks matter to me ’

Algy was about tc 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 shaT be delighted to welcome her. I’ll go and get some dowers 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 eye sight, 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 he intended to convey was cut short by Maggie’s sudden departure

In ha f an hour the party were all ready to proceed to the wharf. The pony-chaise led the way at a brisk paco, while a cart for the visitor’s luggage fo lowed more soberly. The steamer s< on came alongside, aud 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 I’

Barton recognised the party at the same moment, and told her young mistress, who turned round aud waved her hand.

Jessie Hamblyn must have possessed no ordinary share of beauty before the fud ravages of small-pox had deprived her of sight. Even now her almost classic f atures were very striding, and her open lids at a di dance did not betray th* terrible trial to which she had been sul'jected. Fortunately the disease had not marked her t > 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 many kind expre sions which her quick sense of hearing caught and resented. At first she hud rebelled te ribly ag-dnst the Will that had mercifully cha Usod her, but lately sh had bowed her head to the decrees of Providence, and almost without a mur mur.

‘How glad I am to sfe you!’ she exclaimed— ‘ I mean, to know I am with you once again, dear Maggie ! How kind you are!’

‘ Dearest Jessie.’ whispered her friend, ‘ we are all delighted you have come, and looking so well too. Gere, are two young gentlemen waiting t> be introduced ; thoug' I think you have met Algy Vernon before.’ ’Oh yes ! I recollect Mr Veroon quite well. Wu had a famous picnic to the Lien, I think it was ’

‘ Quite right, Miss Hatnb'yn. What & tmmory y uhave!’ replied Vernon, as he shook hands with her.

‘ This is my cousin, Trank Carson, of whom you m»y have heard,’ continu'd 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 dre>s. ‘ Oh, what lovely roses!; she cried. * Thank you so much, Mr Carson ! ’ ‘ Mow, dear, let me escort you,’ said Maggie. ‘ I see your invaluable Barton has al ready got your luggage ashore. This way, dear. ’

8 Algy, you and I must follow as we cannot lead,’ said Frank, as he took his friend’s arm. ‘ I say,’ he whispered, ‘ what a beautiful voice she has got, hasn’t she ? You’ll be falling in love, old fellow, eh ? ’ ‘ Not T,’ replied his friend, ‘l’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 Fiank.

‘ 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 never can do those pretty things.’ ‘ I hen, friend Algy, take a lesson now, and a ro.-e next time. ’

They all drove rapidly back to the Rec tory. Mr I/enne met them on the steps.

‘ Welcome to Wittleslei.h,’ he exclaimed in h s 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. ‘Lunche m is ready,’ he said, ‘ so when you y-ung ladies have exchanged confidence we will sio down. Do not be too long, dear,’ he added to his daughter. ‘ ‘ We whali be ready iu a minute, papa,’ replied Maggie. ‘ Scarcely, 1 think,’ said the Rector, laugh-

ing. * But do not forget I breakfasted at seven this morning.’ ‘ What a nice fellow your cousin must be, Maggie I fancy hs taking the trouble to giiher these lively r ses ! I wi<h I con d see them,’she added with a sigh. ‘But Maggie, dear, what do you think ? one in London told papa that perhaps I might some day recover my sight I do so h<>po he is right. Me wcuted to galvanise me, or something ! ’ ‘Of course he is right, dear; he never would have been so cruel. He could not have held out hopes if he were not quite sure ! ’

‘Oh, Maggie, fancy! Just fancy being able to see the sea, the sky, the flowers, and you, you darling, once again. But it is too good to be true. It is quite impossible ! ’ A weary sigh closed the sentence. * Not impossible, dear. So let us hope for the best, Hope and pray, and trust iu God’s mercy.’

Jessie bent down and kissed her kind friend, and then the two girls had a * good cry ’ together.

{To hg continued.)