The Southern herald., 1899-09-15


but not TO be able to support her as he
had expected to do hurt his pride, and
he was glad to get away.
After many weeks the lotte-S begNS
10 come. If Margaret had felt the least
bit hurt at her husbands anxiety to
90, her fears vanished after reading
his letters. They were full of :he same
love and devotion Of their honeymoon
days, and though the separation was a
severe sacrifice, Margaret lived only in
the thought that he was prospering and
that one day they would be brought to-
gether again.
For months Girard's letters were full
of enthusiL im and good news, but one
day the tea 5 gathered in Margaret's
eyes as she laid down his last letter.
Eight months of tropical climate had
been too much for him. and Girard's
health was breaking. After that each
letter was an evident attempt TO spare
her feelings and TO be cheerful in a
time of gloom, and not many more
weeks proved it, for one day a cable
gram announced his death. Then came
a letter from the captain Of the ship,
with few words of consolation. one
from the United States consul stationed
at the port where Girard had died, aud
later his mail and other possessions
were returned to her
The $4,000 life insurance was col
lected but Margaret's heart was
broken. She cared for no one and foI
: nothing but Girard's memory, so she
bought the pretty little cottage where
their married life had been spent; fur
nished it as nearly as possible the way
it was before, and even trained the
morning glories over his Office window
so that they would shade his desk JUS
as they used to do. Margaret's devo
tion was beautiful. For 20 years sh,
lived in the quiet little town, leaving
now and then for a short trip abroad
but always returning TO the shrine o.
her affection. Her devotion was thu
marvel of the community, and the lit
tie village was proud of it, for halo o,
romance rested upon her head, and helt
her aloof, in aweSome reverence, from
the rest of the world.
But one day the little communit,
was startled. A stranger man was seel
TO enter her cottage. lie was tall
heavy-set and swarthy, and why h,
had come to the village and to see tn,
doctors widow no one knew until after
ward, when Mrs. Duval explained tha
he wanted to purchase a piece of he
property.
That was his passport into her house
but after that he was frequent visitor
Margaret could scarcely realize tina
she was listening to amorous overture
after her lifelong sacrifice to the mem
ory of Girard, and she could explain j
only on the ground of a peculiar re
semblance that the stranger, Mr.. Hunt
bore to her long-lost husband. Sh
could not trace it in the features. bu
now and then there was something
about him so like Girard that she wa
fascinated and would listen to him al
most helplessly.
But one day the end came. The stran
ger man had offered his life and fortune
to the little widow. A rosy light frou
the setting sun fell aslant her pret',
features as he entered the cottage doc
on the evening that he went to recei'i
his answer. Margaret was sitting n
Girards desk, looking dreamily out o
the window. In her hand she held
small gold locket: it was open, AM
showed the handsome face of the onl
man she had ever loved. The strange
stepped nearer. lie understood with
out being told that she was struggling
between the old affection and the new
Suddenly she burstinto tears, and, rails
ing the locket to her lips, she kissed i
passionately.
"Girard. Girard!" she cried: 81 ca
never forsake you! Forgive me for tn
thought"
In another moment she dfscovere
that Hunt was standing near her, and
sitting her emotion, she stood dignitiet
and erect before him.
81 thank you for the compliment yo
pay me in wishing me to be your wife,
she said, but must decline the honor
For-I might as well tell you frankly
| do not love you, and it would never b
possible for me TO care for you in an.
but the most distant way. | gave IN
heart to my husband years ago, and
love him this moment as much as in tn
days we spent together in this littl
cottage. The very walls remind me O
him, and to forsake him now that he ]
not here would be the grossest sacrilegt
My life shall be one long sweet devotio
to him. l belong to him now as on m.
wedding day. thank you, sir. Good
by