The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-10-08
CHAPTER XyuI-Continued.

became oppressive, and the desire to
see and talk to him could no longer be
resisted, she put aside the book she
had vainly tried to read, and, going to
his room; tapped upon the door.
There was 10 answer, and she
knocked more loudly. Still no answer.
Becoming frightened, she tried the
door. 1t opened to reveal an empty
room. Brian was gone. She stood for
second motionless, trying to realize
this fact, and then without word or
cry she went TO her own room.
He was gone; that was all. 1t was
easy to say it. Why should she mind
so much? Had he really been home?
Perhaps she had only dreamed, that
BERTHE had talked with her, or that she
had heard Brians voice. Maybe if she
should rub her eyes very hard she
would awaken presently to find herself
back at Elmwood, and these last two
months a horrible dream.
"We should never despair except In
the face of positive defeat" Wilson had
once said to her. Wasn't this positive
defeat? Could she see hope beyond it?
Was the long hard struggle and the
bitter travail of spirit through which
she had passed to avail her nothing?
All heaven would be more kind"
This thought brought a certain hope
and trust with it. And she could think
quite calmly of the hopes and longings
which had filled her heart when she
married Brian; Of the unfulfilled dreams
and ambitions which had become part
of her life, and her vague ideas of those
wife duties and attentions which were
to win him back from life of indo-
lence to a position high and honored
before the world. They had been il
vain. All in vain.
She tried to put aside the overpower-
ing regret this knowledge brought her.
She would forget it. She would sit
here no longer. The window was open
and she was cold and chilled. Besides
she heard-what? step. Yes, a
step, and, thank God, she recog-
niZed it.
Without a seconds hesitation she
left the room, and when Brian entered
the hall outside he found her standing
like an apparition in the dim, uncertain
moonlight.
He started back, but it was too late
to avoid her. Yet even in that moment
OF supreme agony he saw that her
whits, panied face held no anger, no
reproach, only the unutterable sadness
disappointed.
You" he said, motioning her from
him with q hand whose trembling he
vainly endeavored to control. YOU"
What pen could describe the shame, the
misery and despair that simple word
held.
Have you come to add the last dre{;
to my cup Of bitterness" he continued
hoy h,c A t,1rn Ynp q
away. ] am beneath even your notice.
Why did l come home to-night?"
because you still have little feeling
for me-" she answered.. in a voice that
was full of tears. Il can't bear too
much"
Some little feeling for her." he re-
fected. "My God, have | shown much
feeling for her? Yet l touched nothing
to- day-nothing since this morning"
why did you go out2" she asked,
leaning rather heavily against the door,
though she was conscious of much relief
at his assurance.
ITO forget, Margaret, to forget myself
to forget you. Here every memory
haunted me- l must have died had l
staid in that room one hour longer. l
have walked and walked. My body is
weary, but my mind is active. 1t is a
living furnace Of bitter agony. 1t tor
lures me. | cannot escape
From your better nature. No, Brian.
Thank God, you cannot escape from
your better nature. 1t is the thought of
the man you might be which tortures
you. Oh, Brian, Brian. Where is your
promise?"
He laughed unsteadily. A meaning
less laugh which Jared upon her.
You see, it is worse than useless,
he returned, recklessly. a. m too worth
less to waste one thought upon. l have
broken your heart and ruined your life,
BERTHE says. Why don't you hate me:
Why don't you strike me as l stand
here villain and a coward.
"Ah, no, she cried, raising her hand
to her face. Not that weak and unfor-
tunate, but with heavens help a man.
He grasped the door for support Her
gentlenes5 unnerved him. Contempt
would have found him stronger.
What can l say, Margaret" he asked,
looking in her face with pitiful helpless
| ness. What can | say. Your trust is
heaven for me. Can | find any excuse
after that. Yet l struggled. If you
could know how hard.
But you took nothing Tonight" she
questioned, Il soft light stealing into her
eyes.
No, nothing: but the temptation was
never more terrible When l recalled
these last two days | thought / should
| go mad. l remembered that l had again
| broken my solemn promise. Again
overwhelmed you with shame and sor-
row, Notwithstanding all your kindness
! and all your sympathy. The worst
| criminal on earth never felt greater
| misery and degradation. / was sure
you would never trust me again. Sure
| that you would dread to look upon my
| face. l could see no hope. And when
l went into that accursed place they
| seemed so happy, The wine was there
| to bring forgetfulness, to drown my
| misery. 1t was before my eyes. Close
| to my hand Yet l did not drink A
| thought of you, like the last straw to a
drowning man, held me back. lpushed
| 1t from me. Though | saw heaven in
its depths and hell in my own mind
| Then Wilson came anC /
He could 60 no farther. emotion over.
| powered him. Margaret's own eyes
| filed with tears, and impulsively she
| placed her hand in his.
Poor Brian" she said very softly
1t has been very hard for YOU. | never
| knew how hard until now. Tonight
| has marked your first victory. and after
| this you shall not fight alone. Nc
| matter how rough the path may be, Nc
| matter how often you may stumble,
| know the time must come when you viii
| stand strong and firm. 1t is this belle
| which keeps my faith and courage So
| warm within me. And until that time
| does come, l always want you TO re-
| member that my hand is ever in yours
| md, side by side, we will meet anc
| overcome all that is hard to you
| Through better and through worse, al
ways together. Don't. Brian; it pain:
| me to see you give way so. We vii
| only be giving mutual help. You shall
lean on me. as / shall often lean on you
| have had so many hopes and ambition:
for you So if you will insist on mag
nifying my simple duty into such ger
erous proportions. | shall expect my
reward in my own way. l can say ne
| more tonight; / feel so utterly weary
| Tomorrow | will have more to tell you
| Only keen your courage strong and ra