The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1897-07-03
CHAPTER XVIII.

Goodnight, he left them.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LINK IRON THE OLD LIFE
As Margaret hoped and expected
Berthe put In an appe srance two evenings
later-tne same ught-he arted, CHEEKY
Berthe, with his never-failing good
humor and his almost inexhaustiblt
store OF news and gossip, to carry her
hack to her home and let her feel, in
Imagination at least, something OF its
old pleasures and interests.
Changes In small place are always
more significant and OF more general
interest than those In q great city,
where the identity OF the individual is
lost in the great labyrinth OF humanity,
and Margaret, whose affection absence
had only Increased, took q keen delight
In hearing not only OF the friends she
had left but OF even the slightest occur
renee about Elmwood and its surround
ings, and, In return, BERTHE wanted to
hear about herself.
This city air has not brought the
roses to your cheeks, he said. Il hope
you haven't developed such fondness
for it that you will be sorry to come
back to US"
Never, BERTHE; my mind can never
even imagine such possibility. In the
first place, don't like New York, l.
actually hate 1t, though shouldn't tell
anyone but you; and, in the second
place, I love Elmwood dearly. Then
there are things enjoy there which I
cannot have here; my rides, for one
thing. Occasionally / have ride in
the park, but 1t isn't the same as at
home. Here one must go at certain
gait. and people ride awkwardly, too,
think. suppose 1t is the fashionable
way, but It isn't half 20 graceful. to see
them pounding their saddles, one might
say. It really tries me to look at them.
The park is beautiful. though. New
York may we'll be proud OF 1t. I have
been around great deal. Brian takes
me everywhere, and usually enjoy the
places we visit"
"And Brian9" questioned BERTHE, meet
Ing her eye.
Her head dropped slightly. BERTHE
saw ths action. He left his chair and
came to her.
4Tell me, Margaret" he said placing
his hand upon her shoulder, 1T isn't 30
hard for you to answer"
NO." she replied in low voice, III
should not be 80 hard now. My heart
has ached, oh, so terribly, and L have
been hopeless and despairing, because l
was alone-so helplossly alone. All,
know what you would say. l have
friends. Yes, such true friends. Do
you think l ever doubted them, BERTHE?
But you can understand that there are
sorrows which none can share. Lately
| have been more encouraged. He has
left me SO little, but last night he was
later than usual, and tonight he is
not here-at all.
Her head dropped still lower and his
hand fell until 1t rested on hers with
a gentle, reassuring sympathy in its
touch.
All may be right" he said with an
effort at consolation.
Perhaps" she answered. Il can only
hope, and II It should not be, the disap-
polntment will be 30 bitter. Last night
he did not seem perfectly himself. ]
tried to believe / imagined it, but am
afraid ] showed something in my ac-
tons, ] tried 50 hard, too--so hard not
to let him see,"
Why should you have trled9" cried
BERTHE, pressing his lips hard. why
yOu CSuclo0I IVu hdNo
feelings, too. Must they always be
outraged"
Margaret raised her eyes at this
strong expression Of his thoughts.
Il think women can't consider their
feelings, Bertie," she returned, with o
sigh. 1T seems to me that, no matter
how hard or how bitter 1t may be, they
can never get beyond the range ofduty.
I think We grow to be hypocrltts in a
way. We are 80 often obliged to hide
our hearts. know have often smiled
my brightest when my eyes were burn
ing with tears held back. ] suppose
the baptism Of sorrow must touch US
all, and | only hope that 1t may wash
out all that should not be In my life,
and make me drawer and stronger for
what ~ to come. Are you leaving me,
Bertsi I'm afraid you find me very
doleful.'
Il leave you, Margaret, to find him.
cannot bear to cit here and hear you
talk and There I'll act Ike baby
next Margaret, you ere q dear, brave
girl. Long ago, Which,
Before you thought should grow
into such 0 sedate young woman" in-
terruptsd Margaret, hastily. I'VE used
| to light gloriously In those days, didn'
we? Uncle fannied I should always be
o tomboy. wonder II he would recog'
nize me nowf"
She finished with sigh, and the light
words had held such deep meaning thai
BERTHE found 1t hard to meet the eyel
she raised 30 brevssy to his.
so long agci" he said. half sbsently
mot quite ak years since first say
you. 1 remember the day 30 perfectly
You were Just home from college, an,
you had two cats tied together by tn
tails. thought you such cruel boy
Well, you want to 20? shall see 20
again, sha'n't II You are like breat
from Elmwood, BERTHE"
You will see me again, and soor
Margaret. Now look me In the fac
and promise me that the day shall nevs
|. come when you VIII Goose to regard m
= rs q brother. There; goodnight: 70,
= hears pain me. God forgive Brian;
4 cannot"
4 Once upon the street Berthe wake
q Slong. absorbed In thought This bri
visit TO Margaret bad entirely unnsrv'