The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-08-14
| back SO. Now he cannot know; he can.

back so, Now he cannot know; ne can
not understand that would suffer any
pain for a moment of consciousness to
tell him am sorry. God will not grant
me even that-not even that.
why will you think OF all these
thingsl" he asked. presently. Is 1t not
human to be little unktnd sometimes
Then look at the other side also
What you have done for Brian. we
must not bewail the past, but go on
bravely to meet the future, promising
ourselves always to do better and bet
ter. You want to go in now?"
"Yes, Doctor, I feel stronger, and J
thank you."
The days passed, bringing but little
perceptible change In Brian's condi'
ton. But the crisis came at last,
Gradually the fever spent itself, anc
the tired frame, wearied with its long
struggle, sank into stupor 30 death
like that only the faint heart beats
told 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
waking on this side of eternity. She
watched and waited, and prayed for the
long hours to pass.
The shadows OF night, which seemed
to have held the anguish Of years, gave
place to the light OF dawn. The lines
of blue 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 a second, feeling half joy, half fear
clutching at her heart She bent her
face close to his.
Perhaps he realized her presence, 1or
he turned again and moaned sllghtly'
His waking mind was struggling for
comprehension, his eyelids trying te
throw off the heaviness that held then
down. At last they opened slightly
then wider, and their slow wandering
, gaze fell upon Margaret's face, lace
{ 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
0 ness. ~Marparet, you-love me "a
t last?"
d With cry of passionate Joy she burle
her face upon his breast.
= ~Oh, Brian, so much! so much that
e could not live without you.
:. THANK COL" he said again, In
It voice scarcely above whisper, ye
d vibrating with such inexpressible happ
y ness that it reached Wilson, as he stol
IS silently from the room.
"Youihave found your true place at las
IT my darling, my wife. Your true restln
n place. 1t is a weak defense now.
l. ut is my chosen rest and support
r she answered, with trimming eye
catching and holding in its place u
IS weak arm that had tried to clasp her
to lovingly. 1T Is weak now, but 1t w
b. be strong soon. Let me lean upon
strength always. Let me have yo'
lg heart, as you have mine, fully and e.
tirely. Oh, if you could know how
d tried to tell you this, as l sat by "
II during those hours when you could
- understands; how often l laid my hea
upon yours, hoping you might near
20 beating, and maybe realize that IL W
of full of love foc you, You did not knt
on then, but you know now, and-you m
or kiss your wife.
t,s Brian could not speak, but his ey
'er filed with something strangely IL
!, tears, as she held her loving, blushi
m. face for the long, tender kiss ne
re upon her lips.
m Neither spoke again. With his ma
in Margaret's, Brian was content TO
ID still until overcome by weakness
NO slept.
sS ITO BE CONrINUED.l