The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-11-04

lcok OF glad surprise which flashed into |
his ,wife's face as she perceived who her
visitor was. MIR. Carlson checked the
impetuous words which rose 10 his lips
andispoke in a voice of constrained cold
ness Margaret" he said advancing to
her side, II desire few moments con-
versation il it will not inconvenience
you.p
The light died ont of the bright face
at these seemingly cold words.
'.You have occupied my time so little
OF late that can give you a few moments
without great inconvenience she replied
Without rising
You and / made great mistake,
| Margie," her husband continued sadly.
81 take my due share of the blame but
even aE would never dared do this il
had Nott .bought--buisno mssler whstI
| thought. We were married for fun, of
course, and now we do not find it so
much fun as we anticipated. / have been
speaking with your father. He will not
hear of divorce, nor is there sufficient
grounds for one if We desired it. But
he agrees with me that you and cannot
live in this state OF mutual unhappiness.
| would give anything il could undo
the past, bat that is impossible. 1t is ne
cessary that one member Of our firm
should live abroad. consider the ne
cessitv very opportune and shall have all
nv arrangements completed by next
week to sal! for Europe. This is not so
hard. for me, for I am man, but for
you-God forgive me for what"
"You mistake, Mr.. Carlson" Interrupt
ted his wife icily. at is the easiest and
most appropriate thing that could be
DONE"
Arthur looked down at the figure be-
fore him The darkness and the wavy
masses of hair hid her face else he surely
would have seen the white lips and burn.
ing. fearless eyes.
II do not blame you, Margie," be said
gently bat sadly. 81 only wonder that
you can bear me here at all crave
your forgiveness and / pray God that |
may not utterly blight your happy life. !"
Arthur waited moment as il to hear
one word of farewell, bat the figure be-
fore him never moved or spoke. Then
gazing intently at bis wife, TO imprint
upon his mind picture that be never
forgot, he turned aud left the room.
All night long Margaret sat in the lit.
tie, low chair where Arthur had left her.
Only once she stopped to pick up a
crushed flower, with which he bad been
playing, and pressed 1t passionately to
her lips. Il
Two years now passed awav, and the
following winter found Judge Thurston
and his daughter under the gentle akies
of Florence. The Judge was suffering
in health, which some said was due to
Margarets unlucky marriage However
that was. the two we're very dear 10 each
other and we're rarely seen apart.
Several days after Their arrival in Flor
ence, Margaret met ber landlady in the
halifwRo, with a tray in her hand, was
'st coming out of the room opposite.
Stopping to inquire if any ore we're i'll,
the kind but gossIppv little landlady be-
gan to tell in broken Italian of the young
foreigner who had come to her q few
weeks before and shortly after had been
taken i'll with fever and now was very
i'll indeed. She said the young man had
no friends and that the good doctor of.
ten came away looking very grave in.
deed. After that many dainty bouquet
or basket of luscious fruit found its way
to the sex man, while the landlady often
told the young gentleman Of the tai, sad
faced young lady who had sent the gifts
One day, as the, same lady stepped out of
her room prepared for drive she met
the doctor returning from q visit to his
patient. The doctor advanced toward
her hesitatingly.
AYou are an American, miss ?" he said
at last.
"Yes, sir"
Margaret answered so pleasantly tha,
The doctor continued with more assur-
ance at the same time waving bis hand
10 the room he had just left.
"There is young gentleman in there,
miss. who is not long for this world. He
is an American, also 1t is very hard to
die so, miss-so great distance from
ones people and with no kind friends"
"You are right" Margaret answered
gravely. "It is indeed hard. My fatuer
spoke yesterday OF going to ses the gen
tleman be Is out at present, but if may
| will 90 in now"
After moments absence the doctor
returned and conducted Margaret into
the room. The cartains we're closel,
drawn. and coming from ligh; into dark
ness she was blinded for moment; not
so with the sick man. Looking up to
greet his visitor be uttered sharp cry
and the one word:
"Margie" aiii sa
Margaret stood as II s'nnned and then.
advancing rapidly to the he'd she kneeled-
down beside it and hurried her face in the
pillows. The doctor with confusedlook
turned and hastily lett the room. There
was moments stiffness broken only by
Margarets low sobhing. The form be-
fore her seemed 10 be the wreck of
once strong and beautiful manhoods The
sick man was Arthur Carlson. He raised
his thin, wasted hand and tendeily stToked
The bright locks on the pillow beside
him 5if
"Poor little Margie," he said family :.
"you will soon he free now"
Then, Margaret never knew how, she
forgot everything connected with the
past; she only remembered that the man
lying there, sick unto death, was her hus.
band; at last the proud spirit was hum
bled and she confessed what she bal so
jealously guarded in ber own breast for
so long "Ob, Arthur" she criedin her
agony oh, my husband, only forget the
pest and try to live for the future. God
helping me, / will vet win your love's
The white face on the pillow lit up like
the countensnce of the dying who see
heavenly visions The excitement of
the moment gave Arthur hack his