The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-07-03
eaek SO. Now he cannot know: he can.
not understand ~ that I would suffer any
pam tor moment of consciousness IN

oacA 80. NOW he cannot know: he ran,
not understand that would suffer anv
PAIN Tor 9 moment Of consciousness n
tell MIN am sorry. God will not crant
me- even that-not even that.
why will you think of all these
.n'ngs?" ne asked. presently, rs It moi
human to be little unkind sometimao;
1 1nen look at the other side also,
"hat you have done for Brian, We
must not bewail the past, but 60 on
bravery to meet the future, promising
ourselves always to do better and bet.
Ter: You want to 60 in now?"
!, YES, Doctor, I feel stronger, and ]
thank you"
The days passed, bringing but little
perceptible change in Brian's condl.
tlon. But the crisis came at last
gradually the fever spent itself, ant
the tired frame, wearied with it's lone
struggle, sank into stupor 80 death.
IKE that only the faint heart beats
to.d that life was still there.
Margaret knew that he would either
waken with new lease Of life or pass
into that deeper sleep that knows no
waxing on this side of eternity. She
watched and waited, and prayed for thd
long hours to pass.
Inc shadows OF night, which seemed
10 have held the anguish OF years. gave
place to the light OF dawn. The lines
OF que grew deeper and deeper in the
east, the rim OF the rising sun rested
upon the brow of the hills, and the dis
tant growing of a cock, welcoming the
opening day, came like clarion note
through the silence.
| 1t reached Brian's ear. He turned
uneasily. Margaret was on her knees
in second, feeling half joy, half fear
ciutching at her heart. She bent her
face close to his.
Perhaps he realized her presence, for
ne turmoil again and moaned slightly.
his waking mind was struggling for
comprehension, his eyelids trying to
throw OF the heaviness that held them
down. At last they opened slightly
then wider, and their slow wandering
gaze fell upon Margarets face, face
white and drawn from long and anxious
watching, but revealing story of love.
Those eyes were not slow to read.
Thank God," murmured Brian. with
an effort to overcome his intense weak
ness. Margaret, you-love meat
last?"
With cry Of passionate Joy she buried
her face upon his breast.
AOh, Brian, SO much! so much that I
could not live without you"
Thank Col" he said again, in a
voice scarcely above a whisper, vet
vibrating with such inexpressible happi-
ness that it reached Wilson, as he stole
silently from the room.
AYouihave found your true place at last,
my darling, my wife. Your true resting
place. It is weak defense now"
1T Is my chosen rest and support, {"
she answered, with trimming eyes,
catching and holding in it's place the
weak arm that had tried to clasp her so
lovingly. 1T is weak now, but it will
be strong soon. Let me lean upon it's
strength always. Let me have your
heart, as you have mine, fully and en-
tirely. Oh, if you could know how
tried to tell you this, as I sat by you
during those hours when you could not
understand; how often I laid my heart
upon yours, hoping you might hear it's
beating, and maybe realize that it was
full of 1Uv'o foc o..--No.1 -diiLnnt- how
then, but you know nov, and-you may
kiss your wife"
Brian could not speak, but his eyes
filed with something strangely like
tears, as she held her loving, blushing
face for the long, tender. kiss he left
upon her lips.
Neither spoke again. With his hand
in Margaret's, Brian was content to liz
still until overcome by weakness he
slept. >
IrO M rONrrNuEDl