The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-03-04
II.

sitting-room, allotted to her by her
landlady in S~pottiswoode street, it ap-
peared to her as If she were in a new
world, breathing a new air.
How dull and dingy that sitting
room had looked to her formerly, with
its dreary neutral-tinted paper, its
faded carpet, it's shabby naircloth sofa
and chairs! Now it might almost have
been paradise, SO bright and joyous
were the eyes that looked round on 1t
Margaret sat down by the little
| round table and covered her eyes witt
her hand.
II thank Thee. o God!" The whis'
per came from the very depth OF hel
soul, and Margaret Crawford believed
In God with all her soul. Thou has
been good-good to me. Thou has
given me the best of all earthly gifts
The door behind her opened abrupt
ly, and Margaret looked up with 6
start as her landlady, a somewhat
vinegary spinster, entered.
You're in, Miss Crawford?
didn't know what to do about that
| telegram; it came just after you left
at / O'clock"
"A telegram? I have not seen any
telegram" exclaimed Margaret, a
thrill OF fear passing quickly through
her. and dispelling the Joy and hope
that had been thrilling her whole be-
ing. Where is it. Miss Tait?"
There it Is On the mantelpiece.
thought you couldn't fail to see 1t
there the instant you came in," re-
torted Miss TAFT, with some reproach
in her tone. The yellow envelope was
indeed in a prominent position; but
Margaret's eyes had been too full OF
bright visions to notice it.
She seized it and hastily tore 1t
open. 1t was brief: but each word
sank into Nargaret's head like a drop
Of cold, heavy lead:
"Your father very i'll. Come at
once. No time to be lost.-Adamson."
Margaret's first feeling was one OF
sharp, intolerable anguished regret for
the thoughts that had been occupying
her mind only a few minutes ago, at
the very moment, perhaps, when her
father was struggling with his last
breath; her second, a feverish desire
to rush to him, or to what remained
OF him. at once. She raised her face,
and vel Miss TAFT was struck by the
expression of white. stricken anguish
upon 1t.
1T is my father; he is very Ill.
must 60 at once said she, her lips
set together in a line of pale resolu.
ton. Miss TAFT, car you help me,
Tell mt when ! can get a train to Boil
tom"
II fear not until night now. MIS-.
Crawford" said the landlady. Sht
hurried away and came back to sa,
there vas M at 8 o'clock. not sooner
It was not yet 5.
Margaret rushed out to send a tele
gram, then came back to put q few
things away in a bag. The ianiiai.
brought in her tea. and she tried tt
swallow a little. feeling that she mus
keep up her strength at any cost.
How those slow hours of intoleraDl'
waiting passed Margaret never after
wards knew; o how she got through
the dismal night journey, with the ter
ribl0 fears, regrets, and overwhelming
sense OF sorrow that were pressing s,
hard upon her. But.
BE the day short. OF be the day long
At last It ringeth to evensong."
And at last Margaret found herself
in the middle of the night, at her des
tination. She took a cab and drov,
straight to the house, situated in on,
OF the pleasantest parts OF the smok.
Lancashire town. in which her fathe,
lived:
It was a small house, presided ovel
by q middle-aged housekeeper. Jane.
Crawford was by no mean In the In
1uential position Miss Minnie Whyts
had assigned to him. He was merely
the teller in a bank there. and his in
come was small.
AS soon as Margaret rang the bel
there was the sound Of hasty footsteps
within, and the round. comely face O.
JSu0 AO6WHOu AppctLcu IA IAo uOOi
way as the door opened.
"Oh. Miss Margaret. I'm glad to SCI
you!"
my father, how Is he!" exclaimed
Margaret Her voice sounded low and
hoarse: her throat was parched with
the long journsy and her OWN feverisl
anxiety.
"Still living. thank God! and still
able to speak: but he's been calling
out for you ever since he took bad
Miss Margaret, and / haven't known
what to do with him." answered the
good woman. Its like as II he'd 9
something preying on his mind. Miss
Margaret.
what is wrong with himf Has the
doctor said?"
He says it's his heart It's quite
worn out, and wont do It's work. be
says. He had a terrible attack today
when I sent the telegram, and We
thought he was gone: but he got over
that. and he has had one or two since
He's setting weaker by degrees. the
doctor says"
I'll 60 in At once" said Margaret
Ringing OF her hat and cloak. No