The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-03-20

what ne said. but on. his tore, HE
manner. filled me with despair. The
few short months that he has known
you-can they outweigh the whole
devotion of my life? The great wide
world is yours in which 10 choose.
You are so beautiful. SO learned. and
yet so womanly woman. that all
men long and sue for you. know
that this is so from what he said.
and what am l that | should dare 10
try TO balance all these things with
nv poor little heart. To balance
nav, il il not that | mean, but Of the
abundance which the Lord has given
YOU | beg the blessed gift Of Will
helms love / cannot live my life
without him. You have your home.
your many friends. | have but him.
When you are gone i know my love
will SO enfold him that by its very
strength he shall be drawn to me
again.
..Sometimes n torturing thought
has come to me-that you may love
him to. as well as !. God pity me
if this is so. | can write no more.
have revealed my very self, and in
Your hand you hold the issue OF my
life; but whatever comes know you
are too true. too noble. to do aught
but hold as sacred the secret OF
Elizabeth"
The letter slipped from Margarets
nerveless fingers. Bewidered.
stunned, she sat incapable OF
thought; then the full meaning OF it
all crowded upon her. and her whole
. woman's heart rose in revolt.
. ''He is nine" she cried fiercely;
"he loves me and not her. / under
stand him, comprehend his work.
, his ambitions. To give him up means
+. misery for us both-untold misery,
for he would never know what sepa-
rated MS. cannot, will not. wreck
/ his life and mine.
1T was cruel. unwomanly to write
me such letter. No. no." she
moaned. 81 did not mean that; the
poor child did not know that he had
told his love to me; he had been hers
: from boyhood; it was but ler wo
J mans instinct to clutch, to save heI
Y dearest treasure. She turned to me
as to her one earthly refuge; she
e barred her heart TO me as TO her God
e o Heavenly Father" Margare
a groaned, what shall do-enter m,
S paradise and hear starving soul for
s ever knocking at the gate, or blgh
u his life and mine?"
e By sheer strength Of will sh'
!, stiled her clamoring heart and forces
!, herself to weigh and balance justl.
! Elizabeth's appeal. As Jacob of oil
wrestle,i with the angel for his bless
:, ing so in spirit Margaret sought TO
Y guidance. '.Searcher of hearts" wa
:, her unspoken prayer, Thou knowes
Q it is not my own happiness | seek
r but his, Wilhelm's. Give me to kno'
which-which in the end will max
for his best, his highest good. IL
r is Elizabeth / will give way withou
Ie a murmur. If it is | my life shall b
one long devotion. Hear me, Etern;
n Goodness. and answer"
y The first faint ray of daybrea
s stole through the window as slowl,
r with clasped hands. and eyes whic
e. seemed to look into the unknow
&c years, Margaret rose from her knee
n. and paced back and forth: then wit
8 a low, fervent II thank Thee,
g Father. that Thou hast shown n
t. what is right to do" She threw he
" self upon the bed and sank into
e drcamless sleep.
SC The sunlight flooded the little 81
ting room with its golden glory
r. Margaret. in spotless white. awaits
y. her lovers coming. The consecratio
OF love shone in her face. As hi
or mother kissed her she whispered 10
rp ingly, "You look, my child, as
ne bride adorned"
co There was quick. springing ST
rs upon the stairs. "Wilhelm." was III
low cry as he bent over her. his arm
ed outstretched. his voice breaking wi
a. loves yearning as he breathe
IS Hearts dearest. what answer?"-l
n. courtesy Of The Ladies' Home Jou
nal; copyright, 1903, by The Curt
Publishing Company.