The Wahpeton times., 1904-02-26
BY Il. B. WELSH....

"You are going home. Miss Craw-
ford, see. Is it not Il charming day?"
Margaret might be proud and self
contained. but she was not as COM
plete mistress of herself as people sup
posed else she would have been able
to keep back that deep blush that
rushed to her cheeks. and to conquer
the wild. sudden beating OF her heart.
Eyes. 1t is lovely--thc first really
spring-like day we have had," she
said, as she quietly gave him her hand.
Paul Cleland walked by her side as IL
he had a right to do so, and almost in
silence they went on towards the Mid
die Walk" as 1t is called, Of the
Meadows.
Though Cleland was a tail man.
whose upright figure and long strides
were more like those of soldier than
a student. Margaret was nearly as tall
rs he. She was finely built for wo-
man, and the dignity and grace OF her
carriage were almost queenly. Her
fair. pale face, with its features clear
ly cut as a cameo; its dark-gray eyes,
shaded by long. straight, dark lashes;
its penciled, level eyebrows: It's mouth.
both proud and sweet, was a contrast
square chin and brow-not exactly a
handsome face, but the face of q strong
man.
so you will know all tomorrow
he said at last, as IL he were pursuing
thread of thought. II suppose you
sult?"
Il confess to feeling little anx-
icus," Margaret answered. II have
been expecting to pass; but now I am
beginning to see what dreadful thing
it would be if l did not. 1t is so easy
to fail sometimes"
You will not fail. Don't let that
thought worry you,' said Cleland
quickly. He paused q moment; then.
with orc swift glance down at the
graceful. fair head crowned with its
dark sailor hat. said, in lower and
deeper voice: This is matter of
great Importance to you, see. May
l ask, in the event of your passing.
what you are going to do?"
Il am going to remain in Edin-
bargh for time. DR.. knight has
promised to use his influence to get me
into one of the hospitals" Margaret
answered, readily enough. when l
feel that have gained as much knowl-
edge as can there. am going back
to Lancashire-Bolton or Bury. prob
ably-there to start for myself"
And so l am never to see you any
more?" Cleland asked, in dangerous
ly quiet voice.
Margaret started little; the shadow
of Gulver passed over her lips.
Il don't think that follows. DIR. Gle
land" she said. trying to speak as
quietly and as cunlposedly as before.
las long as / am In Edinburgh. IL
hope may still see you occasionally
You lave been very good to me-you
have helped me great deal. Do not
think ] am ungrateful to you for all
your kindness-undeserve and disln-
terested kindness as it has been.''
Il do not want you to- be ungrate-
ful, and l don't want you to think.
did to help you was disin-
terested." he exclaimed. his voice SUD
denly becoming passionate with emo
ton. They were in a very quiet part
now--in the narrow lane, with ivy
covered wall on one side and a railing
on the other, which led up towards the
terrace in which Margaret had her
lodgings. He paused. compelling her
to do the same, faced her. and, sudden
ly taking both her hands in his, neld
them close. Margaret, Margaret,
can't you guess the truth? l love you
with all my heart! 1 have loved you,
think, from the first time l saw you.
DO you remember one night two ses-
sicns ago when l had just started lee
turing? 1t was Sunday night, and |
was at ST. Giles; there was /; famous
preacher there. BY chance, as it
seemed-but it was not chance, Mar
garrett went into the very pew in
which you were. I had no hymn book,
and you offered yours so gravely. so
sweetly, without any proud reserve or
coldness. l remember the hymn. 1t
was My Times Are in Thy Hand 1t
has been Il favorite with me ever since.
Margaret, have loved you since then,
with 81 love that has grown stronger
and deeper, until it seems like part
OF my being which | can't tear away.
There is 10 other woman in the world
there never will be any other woman
III the world--for me but you Mar
garet, do you love me? Can you ever
love ne.
The words we're poured forth so rap
idly. so passionately, that Margaret
was quite unable to stem their torrent.
She stood quite still, without word or
emotion, her face very pale: only once
OF twice that shadow of Quiver
passed over her lips again. When at
last Cleland paused, and looked into
her face eagerly, searchingly. as II for
his answer, Margaret made an evident
effort to speak. Though twice she
opened her lips, no words came.
Her voice was very low when Mt last