The Moorland Cottage

ere came a November o

here was incessant rai

ine to light up the drop

of the trees glisten. E

isp autumnal glory of le

rs rotted away without e

heavy monotonous sky had

oorland cottage as with

aggie saw that her mothe

xtravagance must be the

t speak on the subject; a

but her mother winced a

ood to be gained from en

een a relief to have kn

w it; but she was not in

, by long tender attent

Nancy strove in every wa

was little ready money

since the note inquiring

ther her mother received

not express anxiety, tho

l at ease. It was almost

o her thoughts by Nancy

n some kind of rheumatic

bed. Formerly, in such

r's wife to come and do t

d that they could not af

attendance in the night,

he was wise enough to re

thought, she hoped to b

bad effect. One morning

hange of name in the mon

or weather, was a reli

y name), one morning, d

leaving Nancy's room, a

ng that her mother and Na

nd rest for an hour befo

o go to sleep; but she wa

awoke it was with a star

being wakened by some

-against the window, li

nd opened it to look o

described, of the near

ither saw nor heard any o

oarse whisper, right bel

lower

own and let me in. For

o one mu

thing was wrong, evident

down the old creaking st

r in. She felt that his

us steps, into the kitch

she spoke. He sank into

expecting some explanat

ened to make him a cup of

and helped him off with

him. All this time her h

t she liked, as if he we

y down, and his eyes wer

ought him some tea, he s

he said till he repeat

ic

ou no b

ittle wine-cellar, and f

ure if out, he trembling

y into the empty tea-cup

n in his chair; but in

and seeme

t is the matter?" said Ma

ward the outer door, as i

and dismal mo

ercely as she laid

uch me. I'll not be kep

ng

nt she thoug

echoed. "My poor Edwa

a chair, close by him, a

poke, his voice was

, Maggie! What must I do

save

unted creature. Maggie s

e are they? I was wet th

m take me, Maggie, till

tt

are you saying?" said Ma

bewildered despair.

horrid dream. I see you

come down soon?

s ill in bed!

There's one less. But m

she

e. "Edward, dear, do try

ld the police

ith a kind of forced, un

for

Maggie, in a still, lo

some time, but sat, lo

last he said, as if

than others have done bef

g money. I meant to rep

would have

ton!" sa

ing sharply and suddenly

r's old friend. It is h

o white and horror-struc

have known, if I had n

" she whispe

ddenly throwing himself a

k, and make him induce h

t, merciful sister! I kn

that? There are s

eak, he had rushed into

parlor, and crouched dow

their morning's supply

ened the kitchen door, s

ter's day had

hutters to-day, miss," s

ll a bad night. Says I to

a year since I saw them

-past e

he was gone, and opene

look as usual. She won

lt so dead and sick at

told? Edward spoke to h

not go back into the ki

apt to come, on their mo

ny errands there for Mrs.

so had elapsed since t

ht the parlor fire, in o

as usual, she heard the

along the walk. She ran

ch had been streaming d

e opened the door. There,

t, stood Mr. Buxton. He

ered the parlor. He sat

ng. Maggie tried to keep

d seen him; and the old

dly disturbed by what sh

gainst his unworthy tena

arch of Edward, he was i

hand, within earshot! If

t; it would only be her

these thoughts, she was

ting for hi

brother lately?" asked h

ut I'll answer for it he

not, with the guilt he h

again. There perhaps wa

o for a person, the surer

don't go white and pale.

n lying awake all night,

ndrel of a bro

would have been natural,

knew too well. But Mr. B

d feelings to n

like the rest? Do you k

don't know what besides

and he can't be hung for

s mind), "but Mr. Henry

. Crayston only ploughed

imber, thinking I should

ed my name He had receive

lf, and said the rest wa

l has gone and given a

h a straw when Mr. Henry

of virtue and such humb

Every one is for what h

intendent of police at W

ng to see after it. But

such

bed out Maggie. "How gla

race came

ace. You're a good girl

Edward has turned out

, I've something to say t

know how to begin. Maggi

piece, longing for her vi

to shrink into some dar

a time, till she regain

d been sorely tried of

and read it in part, bu

hat he was

ll night, thinking. You

ocent; and I'm sure you

k in

e sofa, and, kneeling do

t go on, for he thought

last h

girl, and face it out.

she, in a dul

t this engagement I have

es not know his own mind

rry any one

en me," murm

But you'll not think of

ld not have such a fine

a forger, would you? It w

Why you're glad your fa

see this day; and rightl

nk. From what Mr. Henry

ways. Mr. Henry was at

en fairly entered as an

many a thing he has done.

ed by any connection wi

law what has come out abo

reach of promi

n face; the pupils of h

he looked straight at M

ati

ry! What has Mr. He

by the wild, imperious lo

resolute for Frank's sa

er a momen

end of mine, who has my

regret your engagement

it was without cause for

e, my dear. I'm willing

r me. You must see what

een you and Frank. And y

dward for his ungrateful

! I don't know what Mr.

If you'll write a lett

easons which must for

rank?" said Maggie, aga

hy

e me with that manner of

ll say that, for reasons

y and unchangeably giv

h, in fact, Edward's cond

Woodchester and tell Mr.

her search after Edward

e your brother; and you'

of course you see your

would wish to

y awaiting her repl

gainst him, he is as goo

ter a

e was a little sound o

ot attend to it, but Mag

te calm befor

"I know you; and I know

ave spoken to me, while

y life"--she could not go

up with

Maggie," said he,

made the cruelty of it.

now. Only it is hard all

lasted character of one

e same fath

plainly," said Mr. Buxt

efore you, for my son's

er I

and uncertain. Her atte

no meaning; and her judg

dist

time to think; you will

is right, God will give

me in my desolation. But

to think. Go now, if yo

orin

it is a right thing I as

," she

, I will come back again

speak he may be arrested

ck

er sick and dizzy with

. She had forgotten for t

e saw the closet-door op

never would go. What a t

u might sit down to write

stop and worry you with

be ended; and my back w

Why, Maggie! Maggie!--y

re

a whisper into a loud

could not stand. She tri

frigh

for many nights--and now

to a wailing

ow, you see. I was frigh

you were brave and kind.

ll al

door opened, and

would have thought of se

prise! I often said, you

s the matter, Maggie, y

s not she, Edward? Where

hat's the matter? Why do

silence. Maggie left th

e been rather a naughty

going to help me out of

rs. Browne, looking

erty with our friend Mr.

receipt--th

ed that the light came

is not it?" asked she

d Edward; "I call it bor

ways willi

is he angry?" as

lusters a deal. He was w

s getting rarely frigh

said Mrs. Browne,

have been having a long

d not go over that half-

Maggie came to

ot!" said Maggie, in

give up her engagement,

f

is to give up her engagem

his

e come to anything, one

nst it till doomsday. An

f Maggie had had any spir

ore now; and then I sho

ould never have set the

's bro

he police are not after

t time alive to the

ough," said Edward. "B

morning, it do

omise anything

her, and looked at her. T

tle grasp, and spoke to h

?--what do you mean?" (gi

stick to your lover thr

to be transported

d tried to speak, but no

st she made a

o think. I will do what

-and such can't--to save

nds away in a p

aggie, rising, and trying

her mother and Edward

d she went out. She was

remembered Nancy, lef

g; and, ill as she could

eek, she patiently fulfi

breakfast for th

ed it up stair

u've trouble in your swee

n't sob so. I'll pray fo

p y

cy. Do!" and sh