The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-05
S&NAGSSNS

later, when the loneliness and silence
became oppressive, and the desire 10
see and talk to him could no longer De
resisted, she put aside the book she
had vainly tried to read, and. going TO
his room; tapped upon the door.
There was no answer, ana sne
knocked more loudly. Still no answer.
Becoming frightened, she trled tne
door. It opened to reveal an empty
room. Brian was gone. She stood LOT
q second motionfess, trying to realize
this fact, and then without.a Wofd or
CRY she went to her own room.
He was gone; that was all. 1t was
easy to say it. Why should she mind
go much? Had he really been homer
Perhaps she had only dreamed, that
tBertie had talked with her, or that she
had heard Brian's 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 horrible dream.
I'VE 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 it2
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 certain hope
and trust with it. And she could think
quite calmly Of the hopes and longings
which had filed her heart when she
married Brian; Of the unfulflled dreams
and am mbitions which had become part
of her life, and her vague ideas OF those
wife duties and attentions which were
- -, nf
;lence to a position high and honored
before the world. They had been In
vain. All in vain.
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? A step. Yes,
step, and, thank God, she recog-
.nized it.
Without q seconds hesitation she
left the room, and when Brian entered
the hall outside he found her standing
like an apparitior in the dim, uncertain
moonlight.
he started back, but 1t was too late
to avoid her. Yet even in that moment
of supreme agony he saw that her
white, panied face held no anger, no
reproach, only the unutterable sadness
of one who has hoped so much and been
disappointed.
-You!" he said, motioning her from
him with a hand whose trembling he
!yainly 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 dreg
to my cup OF bitterness?" he continued
rather huskily. "Ah, you turn your face
away. am beneath even your notice.
Why did l come home to-night?"
because you still have little feeling
for me, she answered, in voice that
was full of tears. Il can't bea1 too
much"
Some little feeling for her," he re-
flected. My God, have 1 shown much
feeling for herr Yet I touched nothing
to-day-nothing since this morning."
"Why did you 60 out?" 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. I must have died had
staid in that room one hour longer.
have walked and walked. My body is
weary, but my mind is active. 1t is
living furnace of bitter agony. 1t tor
lures me. l 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. I'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 q villain and coward.
to her face. Not that weak ard unfor-
He grasped the door for support. Her
gentleness unnerved him. Contempt
would have found him stronger.
What can I say, Margaret?" he asked,
looking in her face with pitiful helpless
heaven for me. Can l find any excuse
after that. Yet 1 struggled: If you
could know how hard"
But you took nothing tonight" she
questioned, a soft light stealing into her
eyes.
NO, nothing; but the temptation was
never more terrible. When ! recalled
these last two days thought I should
20 mad. l remembered that had again
broken my solemn promise. Again
overwhelmed you with shame and sor-
row, Notwithstanding all your kindness
land all your sympathy. The worst
Criminal on earth never felt greater
misery and degradation, I 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
] 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 l saw heaven IL
its depths and hell in my own mind.
Then Wilson came anC l.
He could 20 no farther. emotion over
powered him. Nargaret's own eyes
nT1ed With tears, and impulslvely she
placed her nand 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. No
matter how rough the path may be, no
matter how often you may stumble, l
know the time must come when you Will
i f,..x, h 1C al : nf