Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-06

81 don't think you liked him very
much, Margaret You were always so
silent when he was by. But love him.
and he went away without saying a
word to me- and know some one must
have come between us. He seemed to
like me, Margaret" she ended visit
fully.
Margaret opened her lips to speak,
but they We're dry and strained.
Let me think she said unsteadlly.
There was pause. Thoughts chased
themselves through her brain. Who
was she that she should shut the dear
child out from n possible happiness?
Russell Thornc might yet love the little
clinging girl Something of the Christ
mas spirit echoed through her soul. IIe
had come to teach self sacrifice. He
would help her. She kissed the girl ten
derby
IL viii see what I can do, dearest.
Let me go now. Goodby"
She disengaged herself gently from
Eises embrace and left the cottage.
A hurried walk across the fields, and
she entered her own house and sought
her mother.
II have decided to go to New York TO
take that position as bookkeeper that
cousin Henry offered me- she said alb
ruptly. ELISE will come to stay with
you, know. till come home at Easter.
If do not like the work, need not
stay"
Very we'll: do as you think best"
her mother answered, wondering ut tho
girls sudden decision. when shall you
| go?"
Tomorrow" said Margaret. 81 am
sure can get ready"
She went to her room. but before
packing her trunk sat down at her ta-
BILE. She wrote to Russell Thorne n
kind but firm refusal. ending her letter
with a hope that he would look after
her mother and Elise little during her
| absence. lie was only away Tempo
rarily. He would be back next week.
She must be away, and little Elise
should have the opportunity she want
ed. The girls lips We're very white
I and set as she stamped and addressed
the letter that was the deathblow to
her happiness, but she did not falter.
A message to Elise in the morning. n
hurried drive to the station. and soon
she was whirling along to the great city
which was to witness the beginning of
her new life.
The Easter bells were pealing bright
and clear in the fair spring morning.
The birds twlttered joyously as they
flew from Dough to bough, and each
bud seemed striving to burst from its
protecting sheath of green. All nature
seemed to he filled with the bright spir-
it OF the holy season. There seemed no
place for care or pain. In Margaret
Lenox's heart 1t seemed that the hope
of life lay cold and dead. She walked
to church slowly. with n quiet calmncss
on lip and brow, but the hand clasp
ing the prayer book was pressed close
to her side. She had only arrived home
the evening before, but already she
knew that her sacrifice had been In
vain. Pretty volatile Elise had told her
n new and happy tale of love- She had
found out her mistake. She had never
really loved Russell Thorne. though she
had thought so for a little while. and
Arthur Spencer and she were to bo
married in May. Margaret had kissed
the girl fondly and wished her happl-
ness but In her heart echoed the re-
frain. AN for naught. all for naught."
Russell Thorne was a proud man. He
had sent no word through all these
weeks. She had lost him forever.
She knclt in the church through the
bright Easter morning, her brown head
prone upon her hands. her tears falling
between her closed fingers. She had
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 pot er do thou set free
Souls newborn, . Lord, III thee!
The words rested sweetly. soothingly
on her soul. In some mysterious way
she felt strengthened, comforted. She
left the church Just before the congre-
CATION streamed out and started to
cross the fields toward her home. The
words of the hymn still rang in her
mind:
Easter triumph, Easter Joy,
Sin alone can this destroy.
IT will live out my life and do my
duty" she said to herself, "and leave
the rest to God"
As she reached the old willow that
shaded her cottage home from the main
road she thought she heard footsteps
behind her. She turned, and a great,
beautiful blush overspread her face.
Russell Thorne came quickly toward
her and stood at her side
Margaret" he said gently. MAR
garrett" He gazed questionlnsly into
her eyes.
She looked up at him bravely, but her
lips quivered.
why. Margaret!' he said. "You do
love mel see 1t in your eyes. and yet
You sent me from you. calmly, colby.
Why did you do it?''
She tried to answer. but the revulsion
of feeling had been too much for 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," he said
tenderly. And there in the quiet will
, low shade he heard the truth.
my Margaret. all the nearer. all tho
dearer for the self sacrifice that has
! caused us both such suffering! Hark!
What is that the bells are chiming?
message for us?"
Easter Joy" said Margaret softly.
ALMoN HENSLEY.
The early Christians did not observe
Aaffa A. Al