Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-13

ask yourself that, did you, Hugh? You
were self engrossed in your remorse.
You did not remember that you robbed
me of my new found strength and self
reliance when you showed how little,
after all, truth and conscience can be !'
Hugh's sense sickened at the words.
Oh, they were true! The horror of her
rudderless, lonely future as it stretched
away before her he saw clearly with her
eyes for the first time.
New thoughts started up like ghosts
and menaced him. The grimness Of the
equal retribution demanded gripped his
heart. But it was just. What was it
other than the weakness he had found
SO desirable calling to him now in in
sistent, imperious tones? 1t cried to
him, but without temptation. It had
put forth talons to hold him with a
grasp of steel to earth when he fain
would rise.
Weak and pleading again. Marian
threw herself on her knees aud flung
her arms around his body. BE could
never forget her changed face as she
looked up at him.
"Oh, how can you cast me Of like
this and go away: How can do it,"
she called in bitter pain. "Hb3 will
have work, new scenes, balm fora your
wounded conscience, nothing but the
burning memory Of you, a phantom by
my side-the woman's part of recsllec-
ton and regret" She broke down COM
pletely; her weeping rose and fell her
tears moistened his hand
Aturmoil of indecision and misgiting
swept over Hugh, nebula Of ,pain
through which Marian's continual Bray
ers came to him family like voice afar
off crying in the wilderness.
In the perfumed stiffness of the room
the clock struck 10. His face grew
CHASTITY, but little while longer might
he linger there.
Never had he loved her as in that
moment. nor felt her half SO desirable,
nor the magnitude of his contemplated
sacrifices so heavy on his heart.
He leaned down, and pressing his
hands hard upon her shoulders held her
away, his eyes commanding hers
lyon know all that the going means
to both of us. Your suffering tortures
me. 1t is like death to leave You SO. Oh,
I do love you! Believe that, whatever
comes! But would conquer myself if
you would let me. would make fur
Their temptation impossible 1 would
have you obey that instinct that once
urged you to come and tell me all.
There is such thing as repentance, and
self denial is sweeter than love. I took
your faith from You, but give it back.
Decide for me. Shallw we sink everything
in obedience to the voice of the flesh, or
shall go away and snatch peace from
the grasp of pain? There is but mo-
ment for decision that must stand for
ever. Your answer? Shall 60 or stay?"
1t was as if he had given her the
choice of his life or death. She read this
IN his words that came with straneled
hreaths, in his wan and lurid eyes. Her
sobs died, and she looked at him with
fear and hesitation.
Oh, how strange thing is the heart
OF woman-how wonderful!
Her reproaches, which had scarcely
faded ON the air, the cries of her pas
sionate heart, remained in her memory
only like whispers breathed from shad-
owland. His words and tone had SO
wildly recalled the night at the mis-
sion when he had held the cup of life
10 her lips and shown her her naked
soul.
The heavy thought of all the coming
years without him fell around her like
shadow. He had left his life In her
hands. There was but one word needed
to hold him.
But to strangle the promptinRs Of
that other self who seemed to rise a
calm eyed, questioning, waiting victor
above the wretched man hesitating be-
fore her, could she do it?
She looked at him across q wreck
made up Of broken faith and pitiful hu-
man passion and seemed to see the
white light still undimmed that linger-
ed there. Could she make him cling to
her, and so Quench that light forever?
All, could she slay his soul: How would
it be if she lived to see the imprint Of
self contempt and defeat always on that
dear face and know it as her doing:
How would it be with her then?
20 Godr'