The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-12-09

back go. Now he cannot know; he can.
not understand that would suffer any
pain for moment OF consciousness to
tell him am sorry. God will not grant
me even that-not even that"
why will you think Of all these
thingst" he asked. presently. rs 1t not
human to be little unkind sometimes?
Then look at the other side also.
What you have done for Brian. We
must not bewail the past, but go on
bravely to meet the future, promising
ourselves always to do better and bet,
ter You want to go In now?" !,
Yes, Doctor. I feel stronger, and ]
thank you. ana,
The days passed, bringing but little
perceptible change in Brian's condi!
ton. But the crisis came at last;
Gradually the fever spent itself, and
the tired frame, wearied with Its long
struggle, sank into a stupor 80 death4
like that only the faint heart heats
told that life was still there.
Margaret knew that he would either
waken with new lease Of life or pass
into that deeper sleep that knows ND
waking on this side of eternity. She
watched and waited, and prayed for the
long hours to pass.
The shadows OF night, which seemed
to have held the anguish OF years, gave
place to the light Of dawn. The lines
OF blue grew deeper and deeper in the
east, the rim Of the rising sun rested
upon the brow of the hills, end the dis.
tant Growing of cock, welcoming the
opening day, came like . clarion note
through the silence.
1t reached Brian's ear. He turned
uneasily. Margaret was on her knees
in a second, feeling half Joy, half fear
clutching at her heart. She bent her
face close to his.
Perhaps he realized her presence, for
he turned again and moaned slightly.
His waking mind was struggling for
comprehension, his eyelids trying to
throw off the heaviness that held them
down. At last they opened slightly,
then wider, and their slow wandering
gaze fell upon Margaret's face, q face
white and drawn from long and anxious
watching, but revealing story OF love.
Those eyes were not slow to read.
Thank God," murmured Brian, with
an effort to overcome his intense weak
ness. Margaret, you-love me at
last?"
With. a cry of passionate Joy she buried
her face upon his breast.
"Oh, Brian, so much! 80 much that
could not live without you"
Thank Go1," he said again, In o
voice scarcely above whisper. yet
vibrating with such inexpressible happi'
ness that it reached Wilson, as he stole
silently from the room.
"Youlhave found your true place at last
my darling, my wife. Your true resting
place. 1t is weak defense now"
1T Is my chosen rest and support,
she answered, with trimming eyes
catching and holding in its place the
weak arm that had tried to clasp her sc
lovingly. 1T Is weak now, but 1t viii
be strong soon. Let me lean upon itt
strength always. Let me have YOU
heart, as you have mine, fully and en-
tirely. Oh, il you could know how
tried to tell you this, as I sat by YOU
during those hours when you could no
understand; how often laid my hear
upon yours, hoping you might hear it'
beating, and maybe realize that 1t wat
full OF love for you! You did not know
then, but you know now, and-you ma.
kiss your wife.
Brian could not speak, but his eye
filled with something strangely like
tears, as she held her loving, blushint
| face for the long, tender kiss he lef
upon her lips.
Neither spoke again. With his han'
in Margaret's, Brian was content to Ii
still until overcome by weakness b
slept.
| inc roNrrSrEn