The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-10-01
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X y.
where the identity of the individual is
| lost in the great labyrinth of humanity,
and Margaret, whose affection absence
had only increased, took keen delight
in hearing not only of the friends she
had lett but of even the slightest occur
renee about Elmwood and its surround
ings, and, in return, BERTHE wanted to
hear about herself.
This city air has not brought the
roses to your cheeks, he said. Il hope
you haven't developed such fondness
for it that you will be sorry to come
back to us.
Never, BERTHE; my mind can never
even imagin such possibility. In the
first place, | don't like New York, l.
actually hate it, though l shouldn't tell
anyone but you; and, in the second
place, l love Elmwood dearly. Then
there are things l enjoy there which l
cannot have here; my rides, for one
the park, but it isn't the same as at
home. Here one must go at a certain
gait and people ride awkwardiy, too,
| think | suppose it is the fashionable
way, but it isn't half SO graceful, to see
them pounding their saddles, one might
say 1t really tries me to look at them.
The park is beautiful, though. New
York may we'll be proud of it, | have
been around great deal. Brian takes
me everywhere, and | usually enjoy the
places we visit.
And Brian?" questioned BERTHE, meet
ing her eye.
Her head dropped slightly. BERTHE
saw the action. He left his chair and
came to her.
Tell me, Margaret" he said, placing
his hand upon her shoulder, 1T isn't so
hard for you to answer"
No" she replied in low voice, ut
should not be SO hard now. My heart
has ached, oh, so terribly, and | have
been hopeless and despairing, because |
was a!one-so helpessly alone. All,
know what you would say. | have
friends. Yes, such true friends. Do
you think | ever doubted them. BERTHE?
| But you can understand that there are
sorrows which none can share. Lately
| | have been more encouraged. He has
/ left me so little, but last night he was
later than usual, and tonight he is
not here-at all.
Her head dropped still lower and his
hand fell until it rested OH hers with
a gentle, rcassuring sympathy in its
touch.
"All may be right, he said with an
effort at consolation.
Perhaps" she answered. Il can only
| hope, and if it should not be, the disap-
pc ntment will be SO bitter. asst night
he did not seem perfectly himself /
tried to believe / imagined it, but | am
afraid l showed something in my ac-
tons. / tried so hard, toO-so hard not
to let him see."
Why should you have triei?" cried
| inc bic lins bard 4" NJ I-
! should you consider him? You have
feelings, too. Must they always be
| outraged
| Margaret raised her eyes at this
strong expression of his thoughts.
| L think women can't consider their
| feelings, Berthe she returned. with
! sigh 1T seems to me that, no matter
! how hard or how bitter it may be, they
| can never get beyond the range Of duty.
! | think We grow to be hyl ocrites in
WY. We are so often obliged to hide
our hearts. | know have often smiled
my brightest when my eyes We're burn
| ing with tears | held back. | suppose
| the baptism of so row must touch rs
| all, and | only hope that it may wash
/ out all that should no. be in my life,
and make me Drawer and stronger for
what is to come. Are you leaving me,
BERTHE? I'm afraid you find me very
! doleful."
4 leave you, Margaret, to find him.
cannot bear TO sit here and hear you
talk and There; I'll act like baby
next Margaret, YOU are a dear, brave
/ girl. Long ago, which,
| Before you thought | should grow
! into such a sedate young woman, in
! terrupted Margaret, hastily We used
4 to fight gloriously in those days, didn't
We? Uncle faneicd / should always he
a tombov. l wonder if he would recog-
niZe me now"
| She finished with sigh, and the light
words had held such deep meaning that
! BERTHE found it hard to meet the eyes
she raised so bravcly to his.
so long ago. he said, half abscntly.
Not quite six years since l first saw
you. | remember the day so perfectly.
You We're just home from college, and
| You had two cats tied together by the
tails. | thought yon such cruel 10y
! Well, you want to go2 | shall see You
again, sha'n't r. lou are like a breath
| from Elmwood, Bertie."
! You will see me again, and soon,
! Margaret. Now look me in the face
, and promise me that the day shall never
come when You will cease to regard me
as brother. There; goodnight; your
| tears pain me. God forgive Brian; I
| cannot.
Once upon the street BERTHE walked
along, absorbed in thought. This brief
visit to Margaret had entirely unnerved
| him, and he seemed wholly incapabl" of
any practical decision. When he ar
rived in front Of the Hoffman House he
ran across Wilson, and feeling rather
| clad pf rbiC nla tor bnr Tod
! him warmly.
| This is really the first moment l
| could call my own to-day" declared
| Wilson, taking a cigar from the case
| BERTHE offered him. where is your
| destinations"
Il was Just trying 10 decide" was
Bertie's answer. L dropped in 10 see
Margaret, and l haven't recovered from
! the shock her appearance gave me Yet.
never saw her look more wretche1 ana
| i'll, though | am inclined to think the
| cause is not entirely physical.
No. Other influences at work How
die YOU leave herr
Alone, was the sententious reply.
Alone" repeated Wilson. Then,
/ Brian"
Is off disgracing himself, responded
! BERTHE with much anger. He ought to
! be thrashel.
| Wilson'S face grew very grave.
Il had hopel things might be better"
/ he said, with sigh.
! They will never be better. / be-
! lieye Brian has lost his last grain Of
{ manhood. He is worse than a coward.
4 II he had a heartle S, selfish wife there
! might be some reason, though never an
/ excuse for his actions. But now there
/ is absolutely nothing that one can say
/ for him. He is simply breaking Mar
/ garet's heart. If you had seen her a
! year ago you could realize what a
4 change these last months have wrought
! in her. 1t Is his dong; all his doing.
/ After she has left her home, her friends,
and all she loves, for his sake. Ny
! heart swells with Indignation at the
thought. | know how she loves Elm
wood and d slikes New York. Yet
after all this she'll continue TO talk of