The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-03-27


/. did not approve of SO much familiari-
ty, and thought that she had better
regain the safer distance of her chair.
But Tyrrell's hands closed over hers,
and she was captive.
Don't 60 he said, imploringIy.
81 repeat that I am sure this must be
, a dream; but, when a man has work
} ed long and YEARLY, do not grudge
him one short hour of happiness! !!
You talk of yesterday morning and
of this morning. Think of the con-
trast to met Did I not believe then
that I was parting from you forever7 2
Yet here I am, in the same room
where you met me SO coldly, and yet
where you spoke such brave, gentle
words one month ago!"
aAh, but you know you are dream
ingl" she said, smiling.
cam II" he said, with sudden pas
sion. "Then God knows such a
dream is worth. more than all my
waking life besides! Yet it is good
thing to be alivel" he went on a little
wistfully. '1t is good thing to
come back to the earth which is
frightened by such face as yours.
But, o Margaret! what shall I do
when that face goes out of my life
again?"
'1t need not go, unless you desire
it" she answered, gently. Il told
you yesterday that it was impossible
we could be friends. 1 tell you now,
that we shall be proud and happy to
claim you as friend-if you will let
us do Sc"
"We! Do you mean your brother
as well as yourself?"s
"Yes, speak for Hugh as for my
self we Churchills always think
alike on point of honor" she said,
quoting Hugh's words, half proudly.
'You have conquered him, Mr.. Tyrrell;
and 1 can assure you that, when
Hugh is conquered once, he is con-
ouered for good"
"And Hugh's sister, when she is
conquered once, is she conquered for
good?' a
"Always," she answered, looking at
him with her frank, loyal eyes. 'FYou
may count Margaret Churchill your
friend for life"
"Ah, but I fear 1 shall never be
content with Margaret Churchill as
my friend for ife," he said. ''She
must be something nearer and dearer
to me than that-or else not so much. |
Her kindness Seven such kindness as
this-is too dangerously sweet if 1
cannot hope for more. No, Margaret,
it will not do" he went on, as he met
her reproachful glance. 'I cannot
play such an empty part as to talk of
friendship, with love burning at my
heart. I know you think I am un-
generous to speak of this at time
when I seem to have established a
claim upon you; but l am sure you
will do me the justice to believe
that have no desire to obtain from
your gratitude what I could not win
from your love"
eyes, I acquit you of that" she
said, in low voice. "But why not
be content"
'With your friendship? That is
asking little too much of man who
has loved you with hopeless passion
for five years, Margaret. I see how
it is" he went on, as she turned her
face from him. 'FYou waive the old
enmity enough to admit me as a
friend, but honor, pride, conscience
God only knows what-will not let
you waive it enough to even think of
a nearer tie"
She did not speak, but, by an i'm
patient gesture, she seemed to deny
this Interpretation.
''Then it is 1.-The individual man,
not the son of Henry Tyrrell-who
have no power to please, no hope to
win you," he said, with quick sigh
''Well, there are some things that
come not at ones desire, and which
no man is strong enough to win.
The fancy of a woman's heart, they
say, is one of these. But you might
have let me think that it was the old
vencZetta, Margaret. You would have
been none the poorer, and much the
richer for that consolation"
'cDid I say sohat it was?" she asked,
suddenly flashing her face round up
on him with impetuous passion burn
ing on her cheeks, and flooding her
eyes. "Did I even-even say it was
any thing ?"
'Margaret!" he cried.
He sprang up, but, as he did so,
she tore her hands from his grasp,
and would have retreated if he had
not caught her in his arms.
'Let me go, MIR. Tyrrell, she said
''This is not generous.
"One word, Margaret, he said.
"You must answer the question now,
which you did not answer yesterday.
Tell me only this: if you and I had
met as other people meet-no barrier
of past bitterness between us-could
you have learned to love me then? If
you can only say 'Yes-O Margaret,
trust me, no effort shall be wanting
on my part that you may learn that
lesson yet.
He spoke with a passion that might
have touched any woman's heart to