The Holly chieftain., 1900-08-10
III V4lC the Horrors
~ of War

He's getting weaker by degrees, the
doctor says"
"I'll go In at once" said Margaret,
flinging on her hat and cloak mo,
Jane, nothing to eat just now. l will
have something presently"
She opened her fathers door nolse-
lessly and entered. &
rs that you. Jane7" asked a feeble
voice. Has my daughter not come
yet! Oh. God grant she may come be-
fore l die."
Crossing the room quickly. Margaret
was at his side. and. bending down.
kissed the grey, chilly lips
TT Il l. dear father she said
gently. Il came as soon as l could.
would have been here long before II
l could have got train; but am
here. and shall not leave you now"
Thank Cod" said the feeble voice.
Margaret. drawing back little. could
plainly see death written on the cold.
grey face. in the dulling eyes. on the
damp forehead She had left her
father few months ago hale. hearty
men. whose hair was hardly yst
touched by time; she came back to find
him dying. t-g n
James Crawford's had never been
the face Of strong man, and there
was little resemblance between father
and daughter; yet he had been hand
some. and In his youth he had been
a popular man after the kind called
good fellows" And two women had
loved him much-his wife. who had
died many years ago. and his daugh-
ter. who had always had for him that
kind Of projecting love which a strong
woman gives to q weak man, even
though she be his daughter.
She knelt beside him now, soothing
him with hands of tenderness and
womanly comfort: but the dying man
tossed restlessly from side to side.
Give me something to strengthen
me. Meg" he said. calling her by the
old name no other had ever given her.
There is something on the table
there; 1t will give me strength for a
few minutes to tell you what have to
tell"
Margaret poured out little Of the
liquid and held 1t to his lips A faint
glow came into the grey face and dim
ming eyes, and In 4 few seconds he
began to speak. in low but distinct
tones.
Il have confession to make. Mar
saret. before die. cannot go into
the other world, into the presence of
Infinite Holiness. with 80 great sin
unconfessed. 1t is fearful thing to
die, Meg. One would willingly give
all one possesses. or ever did possess,
to undo all the past then; but we can
motive cannot. oh. my God. there
Ii no forgiveness OF sins in that sense
none. none!''
A terrible .sickening fear had slowly
risen in Margaret's heart as he spoke.
Was 1t true. then what had always
been said about her father? II SO, It
seemed to Margaret at that moment as
IL she desired nothing else but to lie
down and die beside him; but the next
moment her womanly desire to help,
to comfort the poor repentant soul
came with full force upon her and she
laid her hand gently on his breast.
Dear. dear father. whatever you
have done. whatever sin you have
been guilty Of, there is forgiveness"
The duli eyes looked at her with q
pitiful expression of appeal.
III had made restitution l might
then hope for pardon; but have made
none. have lived as II I had never
done that fearful wrong. Margaret,
listen while tell 1t, for time Is grow
ing short"
But why tell 1t. dear?" she pleaded
gently, close to his ear. do not
know already what 1t was? You were
guilty two years ago. as people some
times said"
"No. mol" he said. with gasp.
You are mistaken-mistaken, Meg.
1t was not that. was guiltless there;
knew nothing Of the fraud"
Thank God!" cried Margaret quick
ly. But the weak. chill. tremulous
hand stopped her. ~
f"Guiltless Of that; but a greater sin
lies on my shoulders, Margaret Yes,
far greater. because the man I robbed
trusted me as his own brother-yes,
even to the end.
Listen. for must speak quickly.
It is ten years since 1t all happened.
Margaret. was then manager Of the
branch Of the Western bank In Glas-
gov, as I was later on. You werc only
q school girl Of 12 at the time.
IL had an old friend who had been