Page:Dream Life - Mitchell - 1899? Altemus.djvu/309

 GRIEF AND JO Y OF A GE. 993

&quot;He is not looking for such return, father.&quot;

&quot; But he has been very kind, Madge ; I &quot;nust show him some strong token of my r egard. What shall it be, Maggie ? &quot;

Madge hesitates ; Madge blushes ; Madge stoops to her father s ear, as if the very walls might catch the secret of her heart ; &quot;Would you give me to him, father?&quot;

&quot;But my dear Madge has he asked this?&quot;

&quot; Eight months ago, papa.&quot;

&quot;And you told him &quot;

&quot; That I would never leave you, so long as you lived ! &quot;

&quot;My own dear Madge, come to

me, kiss me ! And you love him, Maggie ? &quot;

&quot; With all my heart, sir.&quot;

&quot; So like your mother, the same

figure, the same true honest heart ! It shall be as you wish, dear Madge. Only, you will not leave me in my old age ; En, Maggie?&quot;

&quot; Never, father, never.&quot;

And there she leans upon his chair ;

her arm around the old man s neck, her other hand clasped in his ; and her eyes melting with tenderness, as she gazes upon his aged face, all radiant with joy, and with hope.