The Holly chieftain., 1900-08-24
LII Nxx( the Horrors
~ of War
0SoS4 SSSS By B. WELSh..

VV~~vv~Vvvvvvvv
me. You would rather wreck my life
and my happinesz."
But the next moment he stood hum
bled and contrite before the look Of
those tender. dark eyes. and the cotir-
age and sweetness Of the pure, pale
face. He raised her little white hand
and kissed the hem Of her sleeve rev.
erently.
Margaret. Margaret, forgive me-"
he cried. Only say 1t is that alone
that divides US. and shall sweep the
phantom from our path"
1T is not only that" she answered.
in low voice. "If It were. then
should leave 1t to you to Judge wheth-
er 1t was a real barrier or not: but 1t
would only make your pain the great
er II were to tell you what the bar
rier is. It can never be done away
with: 1t must stand between us for
ever"
And am to go from you. Margaret,
knowing no more than this!"
1T must be 30. 1t Is as Heaven has
willed It. Paul. God has laid the bur-
den upon US, we can only submit
But from her woman's heart there
was rising heartbroken cry. "Oh,
my love. my love! 1t is nard. God
knows"
| Paul Cleland turned away suddenly.
His face had grown pale and set. 1t
seemed to him that any further plead
ing with Margaret would be like beat
ing against the rock. A little quiver-
heard 1t. and turned quickly.
You will relent, Margaret? Tell
me there Is some hope!"
She shook her head.
| There Ia none. Paul-we must part.
oh. can we not do SO quickly? The
pain would be less If we did not see
each other!"
1T shall be as you wish.' said Gle
land. after moments pause. Il can
leave Greystoke at once, and in a
short time shall be far enough from
England. Do you care to hear where
l am going. Margaret"
She bowed, making no answer.
Il am going to Egypt. have had
an offer made me. and was only
doubtful as to what my answer should
be until l saw you; but now my mind
10 quite made up. shall probably
sail in a-fortnight or so.''
A stifed exclamation came to Mar
garet'a lips; but she checked 1t, and
the next moment turned to him, her
face as pale as ever. but quite calm.
II can only wish you every success
and-and happiness In your new life,
she said. and laid her hand. cold and
trembling as 1t was, in his. And
after all. what happiness is better and
deeper than that which comes to us
from our work? If we can help to
allay suffering. and to bring back
health to others. surely we can ask
no greater Joy on earth? Doctor Gle
land. wish you that happiness with
all my heart"
Thank you." he said, little husk-
lily. II do not think shall be able to
call myself happy. Margaret-I have
not reached such height of self
abnegation yet; but as the great apos-
tie of work says. Thou canst do with
out happiness. and instead thereof find
blessedness, l suppose that IL what
you mean. Well. shall we say good
by now? We may not have another
chance"
Margaret looked at him. It was a
look he was to remember for very
long afterwards. In it he read all the
deep love of her woman's soul for ONT
moment, without veil or reserve, barred
before him. Her hand still lay in his
He drew her little nearer, and hii
I. eyes seemed to devour her face.
For Heavens sake, Margaret. thini
once more what you are doing! Dc
not part us for the sake Of an imag-
mary barrier; do not sacrifice US bott
for anothers sins! II Is not too late
yet to say the word that will change
our whole future lives"
He felt her hand CULVER; but sh,
answered steadily:
Paul, this is the only thing left fol
us to do-to part. There Is no othel
way-none. Good-by"
'.Good-by," said Paul, hoarsely
Then, after pause. still holding hel
hand. he said: Margaret, 1t lis tht
last time perhaps that shall evel
speak to you alone on earth. VIII yot
kiss me once, because of what NIGH
have been?"
And In the tenderness Of that mo
ment-a tenderness that for the time
seemed to blot out all her own agon,
and weakness-Margaret raised hel