The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-02-26

u"o oSep = A'H~itS1 .'StS1-! ''"S '@sS iSeAAs
opportunity. I alone, therefore, am
its debtor. Hence, all is said" 81 s
"No; all is not said," she answered,
impetuously. "Indeed| with smiles
brimming up inte her eyes again. like
the April mood Of child really
have not an idea when all will be said.
Not in a long, very long while, I am
sure" 80 m t,.,. s.
"You don't mean that you are going
to talk for a very long while about
me 2" he asked, slightly disfnayed. ~.
eyes, about you-and a little, per.
haps, about Hugh. DO yon know,
Mr.. Tyrrell, thatif lam the happiest
woman in the world this morning, it
is because 1 was the most wretebed
yesterday morning? What should /
have done if Hugh had been brought
back to me as MANY otherewoman's
best-beloved was brought back to her?
How should I ever have forgiven my
self if you had cast your life away in
the errand upon which I had been
selfish enough to send you ~ a9a.
"lf you had not sent me, should
have gone," he said. aThis life Of
mine is not worth 90 much that !
would not freely have given it to save
the son of Albert Churchill - your
brother, Margaret as
When he called her Margaret, she
colored and drew back. Perhaps she
did not approve Of 90 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 co." he said, imploringly. 81
repeat that l am sure this must be q
dream; bui, when q man has worked
long and YEARLY, do not grudge him
one short honr of happinessI You
talk of yesterday morning and of this
morning. Think Of the contrast to
me Did L not believe then that I
was parting from you forever? Yet
here 1 am in the same room where
you met me so coldly, and yet where
you spoke such brave, gentle words
one month agol" y
aAh, but you know you are dream
ingl" she said, smiling.
"Am II" he said, with sudden pas.
sion. "Then God knows such q dream
is worth more than all my waking
life besides Yet it is a gooI thing
to be alive p he went on q little visit
fully. 1T is a 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 p
"It need not 60, unless You desire
it," she answered, gently. II told
you yesterday that it was impossible
we could be friendss Itell you now
that we shall be proud and happy to
claim you as a friend-if you will let
us do So" ra : le 2:iali!f9
"We! Do you mean your brother
as well as yourself?" 3u4
Yes, I speak for hugh as for my
self. we Churchills always: think
alike on point of hopor,'" she said,
quoting Hugh's words, half proudly.
@You have conquered him. Mr.. Tyr
rell and l can assure you that, when,
Hugh is conquered once, he is con-
quered for good" :.
"And Hugh's sister, when she is
conquered once, is she conquered for
good 2" '...... 80 ~ y :, :
"Alwsys," she answered, looking at
him with her frank, loyal eyes. "You'
may count Margaret Churchill your
friend for life." is,t
"Ah, but I fear I shall never be
content with Margaret. Churchill as
my friend for life," he said. "She
must be something nearer and dearer
to me than that-or else not 30 much.
Her kindness-ev such kinkness, as
this-is too dangerously sweet if [
cannot hope for more. No, Margaret,
it will not do," be went on, as he met
her reproachful glance. II cannot
play such an empty part as to tax of
friendship with love burning at my
heart 1 know you think l am un-
generous to- speak of this at a time
when seem TO have established a
claim upon you; but 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-"
"Yes, l acquit you of that" she
said, in low voice. "But why not
be content" =, 81
"With your friendship? That is
asking q little too much Of a man who
has loved you with hopeless passion
for five years, Margaret. ! see how
it. is," he went on, as she turned her
face from him. "You waive the only
enm;tv enough to admit me as q
friend, out honor, pride. conscience
God only knows what--will not let
you waive it enough to even think Of
q nearer tie"
She did not speak, but, by an I'M
patient gesture, sha aeemed to deny
this Interpretation.
"Thcn it is 1.-THE individual man
not the son of Henry Tyrrel-who
have no power to please, no hope to
win you," he said, with quick sigh.
"Well, there are some things that
como 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 rem
delta, Margaret. You would have been
none the poorer, and l much the