The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-25
&>ooSoSSSSS
rHAPTER xvIII-ContInuede

Dsiho &hai Sahoet PouoihS vupoiuC va MS
door and hearing no sound, fancied he
must still be sleeping. But two hours
later, when the loneliness and silence
became oppressive, and the desire to
see and talk to him could no longer be
resisted, she put aside the book she
had vainly tried to read, and, going to
his room; tapped upon the door.
/ There was no answer, and she
knocked more loudly. Still no answer.
Becoming frightened, she tried the
door. It opened to reveal an empty
room. Brian was gone. She stood for
a second motionless, trying to realize
this fact, and then without a word or
cry she went to her own room.
He was gone; that was all. 1t was
easy to say It, Why should she mind
30 much? Had he really been homer
Perhaps she had only dreamed, that
BERTHE had talked with her, or that she
had heard Brian's voice. Maybe IL she
should rub her eyes very hard she
would awaken presently to find herself
back ct Elmwood, and these last two
months horrible dream.
we should never despair except In
che face of positive defeat" Wilson had
onoe said TO her. Wasn't this positive
defeat2 Gould she see hope beyond it.
",
blister travail of spirit through which
she had passed to avail her nothing?
Ah, heaven would be more kind.
This thought brought certain hope
and trust with IL. And she could think
quite calmly OF the hopes and longings
which had filed her heart when che
married Brian; OF the unfulf1lled dreams
and ambitions which had become part
OF her life, and her vague ideas OF those
wife duties and attentions which were
60 win him back from life OF indo.
tenoe to a position high and honored
before the world. They had been In
vain. AL In vain.
She tried to put aside the overpower.
lng regret this knowledge brought her
She would forget it. She would SIT
here no longer The window was open
and she was cold and chilled. Besides
she heard-what2 A step. Yes,
step, and. thank God, she recog-
Missed 1t.
without q seconds hesitation she
left the room, and when Brian entered
the hall outside he found her standing
like an apparition In the dim, uncertain
moonlight.
He started back, but 1t was too late
10 avoid her. Yet even In that moment
white. panied face held no anger, no
reproach, only the unutterable sadness
of one who has hoped so much and been
disappointed.
"youl" he said, motioning her from
him with hand whose trembling he
vainly endeavored to control. You'll"
What pen could describe the shame, the
misery and despair that simple word
held.
/ Have YOU come to add the last dre2
to my cup OF bitternessp" he continued
rather huskily. "Ah, you turn your face
away. am beneath even your notice
Why did come home to-night?"
because you still have little feeling
for me-" she answered, in voice that
was full of tears. i can't beaI toe
much.
Some little feeling for her. he re.
ascted. 'My God, have 1 shown much
feeling for herr Yet touched nothing
to-day-nothing since this morning"
sWhy did you go Quit" she asked
leaning rather heavily against the door
though she was conscious OF much relic
ut his assurance.
tsTo forget. Margaret. to forget mysel
20 forget you. Here every memor,
haunted me. I must have died had
sfaN In that room one hour longer.
ave walked and walked. My body j
Saasy. but my mind is active. 1t Is
Hvias furnace Of bitter agony. 1t tor
turos me. ! cannot escape
sYsem your better nature. No. Brian
Thnax God, you cannot escape fror
youy nstser nature. 1t Is the thought Q
The naa you might be which torture
you. e. Brian Brian! Where is you
he lausAsd unsteadily. meaning
less laugh wntah Jared upon her.
.You see, 1t Is worse than useless,
he returned, recklessly.. m 100 worm
ieas To waste one thought upon. hav
broken YOUR heart and ruined your life
Rsrtie saws. Why don't you hate me
Whv don't YOU strike me as l stan
here a villain and a coward.
~Ah. no." she cried. raising her han
70 her face. Not that weak and unfol
tunate. but with heavens help man.
He erasped the door for support. DC
rartleness unnerved him. ContemI
would have found him stronger.
what can l say, Margaret he aske'
looking in her face with pitiful helpless
hess. what can / say. Your trust
heaven for me. Can find any excus
sftar that. Yet / struggled. II yo
could know how hard.
sBut you took nothing tonight 81
questioned, a soft light stealing into N
eyes. 49,.
sNo, nothing; but the temptation WI
never more terrible. When ] recallt
these last two days thought | shou
90 mad. remembered that had aga
broken my solemn promise. Aga
overwhelmed you with shame ana SO
row, Notwithstanding all your Hsdne.
and all your sympathy. -,
Poor Brian" she said very sort
1T has been very hard for YOU l heN
knew how hard until now. lo,n,s
has marked your first victory. ana al!
this YOU shall not fight alone;
matter how rough the path may oe,
matter how often you may stumpie
know the time must come when you
stand strong and firm. 1t is THIS pei
which keeps my faith ana eos.ss 7,
warm within me. And until that u
dos come, 1 always want you 10
member that my hand is ever In you
end eide by SIDE. We Will mees
oyercome ell that Is hara 70 y
ThrousE better ssd through worse.
ways ipsssasE .pps't, sEisaI IL pa