Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-02

Though Cleland was a tall man,
whose upright figure and long strides
were more like those of a soldier than
student, Margaret was nearly as tall
as he. She was finely built for a wo-
man, and the dignity and grace of her
carriage were almost queenly. Her
fair. pale face, with its features clear
ly cut as a cameo; its dark-gray eyes,
shaded by long, straight, dark lashes;
its penciled. level eyebrows; its mouth
both proud and sweet, was a contrast
to Cleland's dark, strong-featured,
square chin and brow-not exactly a
handsome face, but the face Of strong
man.
so you will know all tomorrow"
he said at last, as IL he were pursuing
thread of thought. 81 suppose you
do not feel at all anxious as to the re-
sult?"
II confess to feeling a little anx-
ious," Margaret answered. Il have
been expecting to pass; but now l am
it would be il J did not. 1t is 50 easy
to fail sometimes"
You will not fail. Don't let that
thought worry you," said Cleland
quickly. He paused moment; then,
with one swift glance down at the
graceful. fair head crowned with its
dark sailor hat, said, in lower and
deeper voice: This is a matter Of
great importance to you, | see. May
ask, in the event of your passing,
what you are going to do?"
81 am going to remain in Edin-
burgh for a time. DR.. knight has
promised to use his influence to get me
into one of the hospitals" Margaret
answered, readily enough. when
feel that have gained as much knowl-
edge as | can there, l am going back
to Lancashire-Bolton or Bury. prob
ably-there to start for myself"
And so | am never to see you any
ly quiet voice.
Margaret started a little; the shadow
Of a quiver passed over her lips.
Il don't think that follows. DR.. Gle
land" she said. trying to speak as
quietly and as composedly as before.
LAS long as am in Edinburgh, IL
hope | may still see you occasionally.
You have been very good to me-you
have helped me great deal. Do not
think l am ungrateful to you for all
your kindness-undeserve and disIn-
terested kindness as it has been"
Il do not want you to be migrate
full, and | don't want you to think
anything | did to help you was disin-
terested," he exclaimed, his voice sud-
denly becoming passionate with emo
ton. They were in a very quiet part
now-in the narrow lane, with ivy
covered wall on one side and a railing
on the other, which led up towards the
terrace in which Margaret had her
lodgings. He paused. compelling her
to do the same, faced her. and, sudden
ly taking both her hands in his, neld
them close. Margaret, Margaret,
can't you guess the truth? / love you
with all my heart! have loved you,
| think, from the first time | saw you.
Do you remember one night two ses-
sions ago when | had just started lee
turing? 1t was Sunday night, and l
was at St. Giles; there was famous
preacher there. By chance, as it
seemed-but it was not chance, Mar
garrett went into the very pew in
which you were. had no hymn book,
and you offered yours. so gravely, SO
sweetly. without any proud reserve or
GOODNESS. | remember the hymn. 1t
was My Times Are in Thy Hand. 1t
has been favorite with me ever since
Margaret. have loved you since then,
with a love that has grown stronger
and deeper, until it seems like part
of my being which | can't tear away
| There is no other woman in the world
there never will be any other woman
in the world-for me but you. Mar
garet, do you love me? Can you ever
love me.
The words were poured forth so rap
idly, SO passionately. that Margaret
was quite unable to stem their torrent.
She stood quite still, without word or
emotion, her face very pale; only once
or twice that shadow of a culver
passed over her lips again. When at
last Cleland paused, and looked into
her face eagerly, searchingly, as II for
his answer, Margaret made an evident
effort to speak. Though twice she
opened her lips, no words came.
Her voice was very low when at last
they did come.
DIR. Cleland, you have done me a
great honor-the greatest honor ever
expected to receive: but | should be
repaying you badly indeed II | gave
you the answer you ask for. You for
get what l am. My fathers name has
been dragged through the dust. There
are many people who still believe he
was guilty. though he has escaped
from the punishment of the law.
only today | overheard my fellow
students discussing the point. What
ever he is in truth-and |, his daugh-
ter, believe him innocent of the dis
| graceful crimes with which he was
charged-in the eyes of the world he
is still looked upon as one who only
escaped public disgrace by accident or
his own ingenuity"
| Margaret, do you think so little or
my love as to imagine am not willing
to take upon myself whatever burden
you may have to bear?" demanded
Cleland. in low voice. my darling.
II you know him to be innocent, so do
I. Listen to me, Margaret; you have
never heard the story of my past. My
father was in business for many years.
1t is now about ten years since he died,
and he died by his own hand"