The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1897-07-10
CHAPTER xyIiI-continued.

door ana hearing no SOUND, fancied ne
must still be sleeping. But two hours
later, when the loneliness and silence
became oppressive. and the desire to
see and talk to him could no longer be
resisted, she put aside the book she
had vainly tried to read, and, going to
his room; tapped upon the door.
There was no answer, and she
knocked more loudly. Still no answer.
door. 1t opened to reveal an empty
room. Brian was gone. She stood for
second motionless, trying to realize
I this fact, and then without word or
Ecry she went to her own room.
He was gone; that was all. 1t was
easy to say It, Why should she mind
tso much2 Had he really been homer
j erhaps she had only dreamed, that
BERTHE had talked with her, or that she
had heard Brian's voice. Maybe II she
Should rub her eyes very hard she
would awaken presently to find herself
back at Elmwood, and these last two
months horrible dream.
q I'VE should never despair except In
Che face OF positive defeat" Wilson had
pnce said TO her. Wasn't this positive
defeatt Could she see hope beyond itp
WAS the long, hard struggle and the
bitter travail OF spirit through which
3she had passed to avail her nothing2
SAh, heaven would be more kind"
81 This thought brought certain hope
And trust with 1t. And she could think
quite calmly of the hopes and longlngs
(which had filled her heart when she
married Brian: OF the unfulflled dreams
,And ambitions which had become part
Sof her life, and her vague ideas OF those
'7wife duties and attentions which were
Ito win him back from a life Of indo.
.s1once TO a position high and honored
before the world. They had been in
vain. All in vain.
N She tried to put aside the overpower-
ling regret this knowledge brought her.
She would forget it. She would sit
hero no longer. The window was open
land she was cold and chilled. Besides
y she heard-what2 A step. Yes, q
+ step, and, thank God, she recog-
1nized 1t.
IA Without a seconds hesitation she
THE hall outside he found her standing
moonlight.
"A He started back, but 1t was too late
Ito avoid her. Yet even In that moment
'tof supreme agony he saw that her
white, panied face held no anger, no
only the unutterable sadness
3of one who has hoped go much and been
disappointed.
N "Youl" he said, motioning her from
him with a hand whose trembling he
MAINLY endeavored to control. -You"
What pen could describe the shame, the
misery and despair that simple word
held.
IA Have you come to add the last dreg
Ito my cup OF bitternessP" he continued
Rather huskily. All, you turn your face
away. am beneath even your notice.
WHY did come home tonight"
Because you still have little feeling
.for me-" she answered, in o voice that
was full Of tears. Il can't bear too
\ much"
N Some little feeling for her." he re.
Injected. my God, have I shown much
4 Keeling for herr Yet touched nothing
Ito-day-nothing since this morning."
.Why did you 60 outf" she asked
Meaning rather heavily against the door
v Though she was conscious Of much relief
= At his assurance.
81 "To forget, Margaret, to forget myself
Ito forget you. Here every memory
4 haunted me. l must have died had
staid in that room one hour longer. ]
have walked and walked. My body is
weary, but my mind is active. 1t is q
Z living furnace Of bitter agony. It tor.
Z tures me. I cannot escape"
~ From your better nature. No, Brian,
e Thank God, you cannot escape from
your better nature. 1t Is the thought oil
the man you might be which tortures
you. Oh, Brian, Brian! Where Is your
promise2'
he laughed unsteadily. A meaning.
lsss laugh which Jared upon her.
you see, 1t Is worse than useless,
he returned, recklessly. I'm too worth.
less to waste one thought upon. have
Z broken your heart and ruined your life,
4 Berthe says. Why don't you hate mel
why don't you strike me as I stand
< here a villain and coward.
'Ah, no. she cried, raising her hand
4 10 her face. Not that weak and unfor.
s tunate, but with heavens help q man. >
FL He grasped the door for support. Her
d kentleness unnerved him. Contempt
would have found him stronger.
What can say, Margaret" he asked,
hooking in her face with pitiful helpless.
ness. what can say. Your trust is
heaven for me. Can ! ind any excuse
1ZIIoT tn6ts Ieb bdukBious ~ yOo
pould know how hard
eBut you took nothing tonight she
Questioned, soft light stealing into her
Eyes.
mo, nothing; but the temptation wa.
never more terrible. When recalled
hese last two days thought / should
% mad. remembered that had again
roken my solemn promise. Again
overwhelmed you with shame and sor.
pw, Notwithstanding all your kindness
nd all your sympathy. The worst
fiminal on earth never felt greater
aisery and degradation. ! was sure
ou would never trust me again. Sure
lat you would dread to look upon my
ece- I could see no hope. And when
went into that accursed place they
eemed 90 happy, The wine was there
bring forgetfulness, to drown my
Aisery. It was before my eyes. Close
my hand. Yet l. did not drink. A
bought Of you, like the last straw to q
fowning man, held me back. Ipushed
from me. Though I sLw heaven In
depths and hell In my own mind.
ben Wilson came ant l."
he could go no farther, emotion over
>Varad him Mar1arat's own avaa