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

tsny. practical decision. When he ar
rived In from. OF the Hoffman House n
ran across Wilson, and feeling rathe
clad Of this chance encounter he greete'
him warmly.
This Is really the first moment
could call my own to-day" declsre'
Wilson, taking q cigar from the cas-
Berthe offered him. Where Is you
destination
Il was Just trying TO Decide wa
Bertie's answer. Il dropped In to SCI
Margaret, and I haven't recovered from
the shock her appearance gave me yet
never saw her look more wretched ant
Ill, though I am inclined to think thu
cause lie not entirely physical.
mo. Other influences at work. How
die. you leave herr
Alone" was the contentious reply.
n. .alone.,,. repeated Wilson, Then
as of disgracing himself" responded
BERTHE with much anger. He ought to
be thrashed.
Wilson's face grew very grave.
Il had hoped things might be better,
he said, with sigh.
@They will never be better. I be-
lieve Brian has lost his last grain OF
manhood. He is worse than coward.
II he had heartless, selfish wife there
might be some reason, though never an
excuse for his actions. But now there
is absolutely nothing that one can say
for him. He is simply breaking Mar
garets heart. II you had seen her a
year ago you could realize what q
change these last months have wrought
in her. 1t is his 1oiDg; all his doing.
After she has left her home, her friends,
and all she loves, for his sake. My
heart swells with indignation at the
thought. I know how she loves Elm
wood, and dlslikes New York. Yet
after all this. she'll continue to talk OF
duty. Women are enigmas; I give
them up. I'd like to thrash Brian,
though. 1t might possibly do him
good"
Il can't understand him, remarked
Wilson. half absently.
NO, nor can any one else. He doesn't
seem worth the understanding. I'll
have to find him somehow, and send
him home. can't bear the thought OF
Margaret waiting in such anxious dread,
not knowing whether he 10 tumbling
about In the gutter or disgracing him
self In some other way. Are we at your
quarters already? How fast we must
have walked! No; ! can't come In to-
night. Some other time, old fellow.
I'll have to make the round Of the club
houses, dare say. Well, goodnight.
BERTHE did not find Brian, as he had
expected, In any OF his probable haunts,
though he went to them all, anxiously
examined the sea OF faces, and even
questioned the walters and attendants.
Rather disheartened after this vain
search, he scarcely knew where to 60
next. In his dilemma, he was in the
act OF turning street corner when the
full glare OF the street lamps falling
upon figure in front OF him revealed
something very familiar In its outlines.
Brian" he said, under his breath.
Yes, Brian-walking with the uncertain
gait that only confirmed his fears. He
thought Of Margaret, and angry indlg-
nation Overpowered him; but this same
thought brought another, and under its
impulse he managed to control himself.
With a few hasty strides he was by
Brsn's side, and, placing his hand
rather heavily upon his shoulder, he
asked, roughly:
Where areyou going' Come homer"
Homer" repeated Brian, startled into
understanding and shrinking under
Bertie's glance. Home to face herr
Never. A few days ago I promised her
I would not touch another drop. Yes,
promised. A farce, wasntit? Solemnly
promised. You see me tonight. Go
home, you say. Go home to see her
shrink from me! To see her blush for
me! To see All, heavens, mol"
These words made no impression on
BERTHE.
Don't add vlllainy to cowardce, he
said, with flashing eyes. Come, say.
II you have no self-respect, remember
her, and have at least the decency to
hide your disgrace under your own roof.
You shall not break her heart; you shall
not ruin her life. I'll shoot you =. #.
Ruin her life, echoed Brian, burying
his face in his hands. MY God, did
not intend to ruin her life,"
BERTHE said no more. Perhaps even
he felt some pity for Brian's evident
agony, or perhaps he feared that words
now would express too much Of the an
ger which burned within him. There
are men who can never understand the
depths to which others can fall.
Quite silent he walked by Brian, and
only left him when the door had closed
upon him.
From her own room Margaret heard
the falterlng step, and knew that Brian
had come, but even the great relief Of
this knowledge did not bring her sleep,
All night she tossed restlessly, her mind
q prey to miserable doubts and hopeless
longlpgs, and when morning came her
face told Its own story.
TO BE CONTINUED.
A True Story.
One evening an old couple came
over to spend part Of the evening
with us. and as we were seated