Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-04-03
Let me go now. Goodby."

Let me go now Goodbv"
She disengaged herself gently from,
Elise's embrace and left the cottsoe
A hurried walk across the fields ara
she entered her own house ana congbt
her mother.
Il have decided to go to New Yor1,
to take that position as bookkeener
that cousin Henry offered me" She
said abruptly. ''Elise will come 70
stay with you, l know, till / come home
at Easter. If do not like the work 7
need not stay"
Very well; do as you think best"
her mother answered, wondering at
the girls sudden decision. when shall
you go?"
Tomorrow" said Margaret. II am
sure l can get ready"
She went to her room, but before
packing her trunk sat down at her
table. She wrote to Russell Thorne a
kind but firm refusal, ending her letter
with hope that he would look after
her mother and Elsie little during her
absence. He was only away temper
arily. He would be back next week.
She must be away. and little Elsie
should have the opportunity she want
ed. The girls lips were very white
and set as she stamped and addressed
the letter that was the deathblow to
her happiness, but she did not falter
A message to Elsie in the morning. a
hurried drive to the station and soon
she was whirling along to the great
city which was to witness the begin
ming Of her new life,
Il
The Easter bells were pealing bright
and clear in the fair spring morning.
The birds twitered joyously as they
twittered from bough to Dough, and
each bud seemed striving to burst
from its protecting sheath of green
All nature seemed to be filed with
the bright spirit of the holy season.
There seemed no place for care or pain.
In Margaret Lenox's life it seemed that
the hope of life lay cold and dead She
walked to church slowly, with a quiet
calmness on lip and brow, but the
hand clasping the prayer book was
pressed close to her side She had
only arrived home the evening before,
hut already she knew that her sacrifice
had been in vain. Pretty volatile Elsie
had told her a new and happy tale OF
love. She had found out her mistake.
She had never really loved Russell
Thorne, though she had thought 80
for a. little while, and Arthur Spencer
and she were to be married in May.
Margaret had kissed the girl fondly
and wished her happiness, but in her
heart echoed the refrain, All for
naught. all for naught.' Russell
Thorne was proud man. He had sent
no word through all these years. She
had lost him forever.
She knelt in the church through the
bright Easter morning, her brown head
nrone upon her hands, her tears falling
between her closed fingers. she mad
chosen a seat at the back of the church
so that no one might notice her Sud
denly the sweet voices of the choir ar
rested her thought. What were they
singing?
Easter triumph, Easter JOY.
Sin alone can this destroy.
From sins power do Thou set free
Souls newborn. 0 Lord, IN Thee
The words rested sweetly, soothingly on
her soul In some mysterious way she
felt strengthened. comforted. She left the
church Just before the congregation
streame6 out and started to cross the
fields toward her home The words OK
the hymn still rang in her mind:
Easter triumph, Easter JOY,
Sin alone can this destroy.
"I will live out my life and do my duty
she said to herself, land leave the rest to
Cod
AS she reached the old willow that
shaded her cottage from the main road
she thought she heard footsteps behind
her. She turned, and a great, beautiful
blush overspread her face Russell Thorns
came quickly toward her and stood at her
side.
Margaret he said gently" Margar-
ETY. He gazed questioningly into her
eyes.
She looked up at him braveIy, but her
lips quivered.
"Why. Margaret" he said. "You do
love me, l see it in your eyes. ana yet
you sent me from you, calmly, coidiy.
Why did you do it?"
ShA tried to answer, but the revulsion
Of feeling had been too much fcr her.
She could not speak. He put his arm
about her.
put your head on my breast, dear
heart, and tell me all about it, ne salu
tenderly. And there in the quiet Wills"
shade he heard the truth.
MY Margaret, all the nearer All mo
dearer for the self sacrifice that has
caused us both such suffering. Hark!
What is that the bells are chimingE a
message for us?''
Easter Joy" said Margaret, softly.
ALMON HENSLEY.