The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-02

l int tlucI SlIi gave ~ mighty start.
Il 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 l 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 were dry and strained.
Let me think" she said unsteadly.
| There was a pause. Thoughts chased
themselves through her brain Who
was she that she should shut the dear
child out from a possible happiness?
Russell Thorne might yet love the little
clinging girl. Something of the Christ
mas spirit echoed through her soul. He
had come TO teach self sacrifice. lie
would help her. She kissed the girl ten
derly.
II will see what can do. dearest.
Let me go now. Goodby"
She dIsengaged herself gently from
Elise's 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 60 New York to
take that position as bookkeeper that
/ cousin Henry offered me-" she said ab.
ruptly. ELISE will come to stay with
/ you. know. till come home at Easter.
If do not like the work, i 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. IT 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 a
kind but firm refusal. ending her letter
with hope that he would look after
her mother and Elise little during her
absence He 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
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. a
hurried drive to the station, and soon
she was whirling along to the great city
I, 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 twittered joyously as they
few from bough to bough. and each
bud seemed striving to burst from its
protecting sheath of green. All nature
seemed to be filled with the bright spir-
IL OF the holy season. There seemed NO
place for care or pain. In Margaret
Lenoxs heart II seemed that the hope
of life lay cold and dead. She walked
to church slowly, with quiet calmness
H..
ing the prayer book was pressed close
to her side. She had only arrived home
the evening before. but already DRs
knew that her sacrifice had been in
vain. Pretty volatile Elise 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 so for little while, and
! Arthur Spencer and she were to be
married i'm May Margaret had kissed
the girl fondly and wished her happi-
ness, but in her heart echoed the re-
frain. "All 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 knelt i'm 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 power do thou set free
Souls newborn, Lord. In thee!
The words rested sweety. 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
'I will live out my life and do my
duty" she said to herself, and leave
the rest to God.'s
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 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 questioningly into
her eyes.
She looked up at him bravely, but her
lips quivered.
"Why. Margaret" he said. You do
love me. / see IL I'm your eyes. and yet
you sent me from you. calmly. coldly.
| 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 the
dearer for the self sacrifice that has
caused us both such sufferingi Hark!
What Is that the bells are chimingS,
message for us?''
Easter JOY" said Margaret softly.
ALMON HENSLEY.