Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-09-27
CHAPTER IX.-(ContinuedD

CHAPTER IX.-(ContinuedD
'He is living yet, thank Cod" said
che colonel. And he thought OF his
sister, who, after much pleading and
resolution, had, along with DR.. Mar
garet Crawford, come as far as Ber-
Der. I'VE must send him back to Ber-
ber," said the colonel. eve are on
the march almost necessarily now, and
he cannot live unless he Is properly
attended to. We shall send him there
at once"
, And so, under an escort of Arab
boys" Cleland was taken by river
and rail to Berber, the Queen OF tho
Soudan."
Adrienne and Margaret were there,
the latter attending to a few sick SOL
diers who had been left in the hospi-
tai. The time was not up for her en-
tering upon her duties, and she felt
that she could not leave the Soudan
until she learned whether Paul was
living or dead.
Adrienne had told her all Rayburn's
dying confession, and now, when prob
ably it was too late, Margaret recog-
nized the fact that the barrier she
had thought insurmountable was no
barrier after ALL
AS Margaret was STOPPING over a
sick man one day, one of the native
attendants came to tell her Mrs.
Breynton wished to see her. Margaret
went to the door, and at first sight
OF Adrienne's face she grew pale as
death, and leant for support against
the doorway.
Tell me-you have heard that he is
dead?" she gasped, rather than spoke.
mo, my dear" Adrienne passed her
brave, unshrinking hand round the
woman Paul loved and supported her
with It,
He has been found, he is coming
here; but he is i'll, unconscious, Mar
garet. Still, God may be merciful, and
We shall pray until He must hear us,
Margaret"
Margaret lifted her pale face, glow
ing with a strange joy, and clasped
her hands.
Il shall nurse him. at least" she
whispered. "Oh, thank God!"
And, she did, until the ebbing life
began-very slowly. but quite percep-
tibly-to flow again.
1t was one evening-ah, should Mar
garet ever forget 1t as long as she
lived?-while she sat beside. him on
her camp-stool, looking through the
open window at the brilliant moon
light making a pool of light for itself
on the brown sand of the desert, that
Cleland, quite suddenly and quietly,
is If he were awakening from sleep,
opened his eyes and looked at her.
Margaret. is that you? l dreamt
you were there. My darling, are We
both dead, and is this my first awak-
ening on the other side?"
mo, no, Paul! You are still on
= earth, thank God, and / am here be-
side you, never more to leave you
now. If you wish it SO. dear, for the
barrier is gone for ever"
A strange flash came into the sick
mans eyes, but for a moment he was
silent.
At last he spoke.
Il do not know if / am still dream
ing or il / have heard Alright. Mar
garet, say 1t again, and shall be sat
isfied. You are mine for ever now?"
For ever, Paul, il you will have
me-" she answered, with a sob in her
throat.
He drew her face to his, and then
their lips met in one long, long kiss
such a kiss as surely those who have
loved each other on earth may give
when they meet for the first time DE
yond the bourne of time and space"
Presently Adrienne came in. She
approached the bedside, and as she
came near she paused, a strange ex-
preston on her lips and in her eyes:
for she saw then that happiness had
come to Paul and Margaret at last.
Paul saw her and smiled, holding
out his weak, thin hand.
You, too. my friend! Surely am
recompensed for all | have suffered
by knowing that / have the friend
ship of one noble woman and the love
of another. Yes, it is true, Mrs. Breyn-
ton. Margaret and l are quite happy.
and we owe our happiness she has told
me, to large extent to you"
And bless you BOTH" said Adrienne.
She held his hand in her own. and
then, turning to Margaret, kissed her
with brave unquivering lips.
(The End.)