The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
CHAPTER XIV.

Two years have passed, and orought
their inevitable changes. The seasons
have come and gone. The flowers have
bloomed and died and bloomed again,
and once more Elmwood is crowned in
the full beauty Of the month Of roses.
1t is late in the afternoon, and for
some time Margaret has been waiting
Brian's coming. Her eyes are fixed al
ternately upon the long drive and upon
the little face sleeping peacefully in her
arms.
Maternity, that perfect completion OF
woman's nature, has given her new
| grace and dignity, and left upon her
life the impress OF a happiness that
even the shadow Of old sorrows cannot
lessen.
Indeed, the sorrows are never remem-
bered, except in a philosophical sort OF
way, and in the realization Of all that
she hoped and expected she feels that
they have brought an ample reward.
Brian has fully redeemed his pledge,
and, with life full of higher and nobler
! purpose, is walking faithfully in his
I fathers footsteps, and winning the
same honor and respect.
He comes home with light heart this
evening, and seeing Margaret, leaps
from his carriage TO take her in his arms
and kiss the two faces with warm and
tender love.
Are you very tired?" she asks, look
| ing into his eyes.
$50. so. Tt has been warm in the vii
| lape. but here it is quite delightful.
| Poor Mrs. Ellis is down again for good,'
| I fear, this time, anI Brown has an at
tack of influenza He is more frighten-
ed than hurt, think, and more trouble
some than either. He fancies am not
giving him sufficient medicine, and In
sists on taking double dose His wife
I has quite time with him.
What have you been doing with your
self, Margaret? Not trying any OF yes
terday's experiments, l hope. Give
me Marguerite; she is growing quite
heavy. You must not try to carry her
any more, dear. will take her to Ailly
and we will walk to that hill to see the
sun set. 1t is really superb
When the baby had been given into
the care Of it's nurse, Margaret linked
her arm in Brian's, and they walked to-
ward the place he had pointed out .
Il have q piece Of news which Will
please you, know. Wilson has at last
made up his mind to come to us for a
week. We may expect him about the
Dist. he says.
Il am SO glad" Margaret answered.,
with genuine feeling. ave must make
1t such a delightful week that he will
want to repeat it. 1t is really quite
curious, think. But, do you know, l
never nad sucn a strong desire to see
any one married as l have to see him?
I know it would make such happy
difference in his life.
Il suppose you think that the only
happy state for man!
ii hope you do, she replied, meeting
bis laughing glance.
| 1T should be, and, as q rule, I think
it is; the exceptions are individual cases.
To my mind poor, lonely old bachelor
irving to persuade himself that he is
fortunate in having escaped the evil OF
| n atrimony is q most dolcful and pitt
able spectacle. All, how glorious!'
The last words were uttered as they
reached the summit Of the hill and the
full splendor OF the sunset burst upon
them.
They stood for few seconds in 81
lence, watching the globe OF fire sink
|
stole more closely to his side with the
words:
1T seems to hold the peace OF bcre-
aiction, Brian.
"a benedction, he repeated, slipping
his arm about her waist and holding her
10 his heart. "Ah, may we always 1eel
the peace Of such a Denediction, oar
ling. May we always stand together as
We are standing now, through petter
and through worse; ever nrm IN eaIn .t
others trust; ever strong in each 9TH
er.s love. and when our suns snail set,
may our skies be as calm and as tran
ouil as this glorious one before US.
.Oh. tranquil sunset OF the SOUL
When all the jar Of earth IS past
When storms no longer round US ro4l'
| And heaven Is near at last
We know, though fail and faint We may
| Calm sunset ends the longest day."
THE END