The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-17
4 W0MAN'S
INFLUENCE,
~S~~GNC|CS
CHAPTER XI-Continued.

CHAPTER XI-Continued.
Once in her room, Margaret did not GO
to bed, but changing her dress to a
light wrapper she ran to Miss Hilton
apartment.
Are you asleep?" she called, softly.
+ Being answered in the negative, she
opened the door and entered.
Dear Miss Hilton" she cried, going
TO the side Of the bed and placing her
hand with caressing gentlennss on the
hot, throbbing brow. Are you bettern :
You should have let me stay with you:
i mo, dear, I'm glad didn't. 1 really
feel much better. Your bathing hao a
magical effect. I have been asleep ever
30 long. and I feel wakeful now. Dld
you have a pleasant evening"!
"Yes. so pleasant. The Colonel was
really quite charming. 1 forget to feel
unhappy even moment. :.
Il hope you will always know such
forgetfulness, Margaret. You have so
much to make you happy, so many who
love you dearly. My brave little woman
must not give way to this dependency.
Sit here for while, if you are not too
tired, and We will talk. Was Alice quite
well?"
.Yes, perfectly. And so happy Miss
Hilton"
The note Of pain in the low-spoken
words filled Miss Hilton with vague
sadness, but she answered very quietly:
Naturally she would be happy. l
should be sorry to see her otherwise.
Margaret, child, are you doing quite
right?"
There was a moments silence after
this abrupt question. Margaret buried
her face in her hands, while hundred
doubts and questions rushed through
her mind. Then, looking up with new
determination upon her face, she said
with decision:
Yes, Miss Hilton. have gone over
that old catechism with myself so many,
many times. The trouble lies with my
views Of life. T guess I started out with
ideas Of ideal love. I have found real
ity, and it is disappointing. I have
such capacity for happiness, or pain
that almost frighten myself. All thest
forces are acting within me uow."
Miss Hilton sighed. Il am sorry to
hear you talk so," she said. Il want te
leave you happy and contented."
Leave me?" repeated Margaret, look.
ing up in panied surprise. You cannot
mean that.
Yes, dearest, I do. I thought you
might understand it. I've been think
ing Of it lying here, and intended tell.
ing you tomorrow; but it's just as well
tonight.
Margaret allowed her hand to rest on
Miss Hilton's brow with new gentle
ness in its touch.
! "Only duty takes me from you, con-
tinued the old lady, with much feeling.
In leaving you, feel that am part
ing from daughter; but my sister is in
great trouble over the recent death Of
her husband, and in her afIliction my
place is by her side. am sure you un-
derstand this, Margaret. Dear child.
my heart will always be with you, and
you will NOT need me when you are
married"
Il think shall always need you, Miss
Hilton" returned Margaret, with an
effort to speak bravely; but, Of course,
I would not be the one to keep you
while duty calls you. All, how hate
duty! 1t is so hard-so cruelty hard"
With these passionate words, Mar
garet buried her face in the pillow, and
Miss Hilton, drawing the brown head
close beside her, stl oked it with an
infinitely tender caress.
Has duty been so hard for you?" she
asked, gently.
Il have no right to complain" was
the self-reproachfu answer; no right
at all. I am ow-spirited and nervous
tonight, and the thought Of your leav-
ing me makes me feel that l am really
and truly giving up my old life, and it is
30 hard!"
cAo1
garet. I wish I might lay it solely to
your low spirits, but I fear there is a
deeper reason than that. wish could
make you see your new life in it's true
light, and teach you that, with all its
added duties and responsibilities, il
holds the sweet hopes and tender possi-
bilities which complete and crown a
woman's life. You understand me,
dearest?"
Yes; I am so anxious to learn Miss
Hilton, while you are here to help me.
I wish did not grow so attached to old
friends and old customs. wish could
love half way, but can't. I love with
all my soul, and hate in proportion.
should like to change my nature, if that
were possible. want to do better;
want to help myself and help Brian, and
I am SO weak, Miss Hilton.
She paused, with half sigh.
Your desire will make you strong
was the quiet reply. Il don't think you
have a weak will, Margaret"
Margaret caught the suspicion Of a
smile on the old lady's face.
"No," she answered, half-smiling in
her turn, but it is very unreasonable
will, Miss Hilton. Always wanting to
do what it shouldn't. 1 find it very
troublesome. You see, I have depended
on you so long, have found so much
comfort in your sympathy and advice,
that I shall miss you more than can
realize. But am paining you. I will
not say any more. I would not have
you think that am placing my selfish
desire before your manifest duty. l
might be tempted to do SO in my present
state OF mind, so had better 90 to bed.
Are you sure there is nothing 1 can do
for you? 1t will be real pleasure"
Miss Hilton drew the anxious face
down to her, and kissed it with linger-
Ing. tender affection.
TRY to be happy" she said, that
will please me above all things; and
don't expect too much of Brian at first.
Remember his defective training and
education. Remember, also, that what
ever his faults he loves you, and through
that love you can exert your influence
over him. Now, good night, dear child,
Ihope you will sleep we'll"
Notwithstanding this earnestly ex-
pressed hope, Margaret lay awake for
many hours, thinking Of Miss Hilton S
words, and making many resolutions