Oakes Republican., 1904-03-18
1ll lllC the Horrors 4
- Of War I
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me. You would rather wreck my life
and my happiness!''
But the next moment he stood hum
bled and contrite before the look Of
those tender, dark eyes, and the cour-
age and sweetness of the pure, pale
face. He raised her little white hand
and kissed the hem of her sleeve rev
erently. 3g
Margaret. Margaret. forgive met"
he cried. only say it is that alone
that divides us. and / shall sweep the
phantom from our path
1t is not only that" she answered,
in low voice. s'If it were, then
should leave it to you to judge wheth-
er it was real barrier or not; but it
would only make your pain the great
er if / were to tell you what the bar
rier is. It can never be done away
with; it must stand between us for
ever"
And I am to go from you, Margaret,
knowing no more than this?"
1T must be so. 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 hard, 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-
ing sigh broke from her lips. He
heard it. and turned quickly.
You will relent, Margaret? Tell
me there is some hope!"
She shook her head.
There is none, Paul-we must part.
oh. can we not do so quickly? The
pain would be less il we did not see
each other!"
1T shall be as you WISH" said Gle
land, after moments pause. II 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.
II am going to Egypt. have had
an offer made me, and was only
doubtful as to what my answer should
be until saw you; but now my mind
is quite made up. shall probably
sail in fortnight or SO"
A ckiAod 1r.-
garet's lips; but she checked it, and
the next moment turned to him, her
face as pale as ever, but quite calm.
Il can only wish you every success
and-and happiness in your new life,' %
she said. and laid her hand, cold and
trembling as it 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, a little husk-
lily. II do not think shall be able to
call myself happy, Margaret have
not reached such a 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,' suppose that is 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 one
moment, without veil or reserve, barred
before him. Her hand still lay in his.
He drew her little nearer, and his
eyes seemed to devour her face.
For Heavens sake, Margaret, think
once more what you are doing! Do
not part US for the sake Of an imag-
mary barrier; do not sacrifice us both
for another's sins! It is not too late
yet to say the word that will change
our whole future lives.''
He felt her hand CULVER; but she
answered. 6teadlly:
Paul, this is the only thing left for
us to do-to part. There is no other
way-none. Good-by."
"Good-by,' said Paul, hoarsely.
Then, after pause, still holding her
hand, he said: Margaret, it is the
last time perhaps that shall ever
speak to you alone on earth. Will you
kiss me once, because of what might
have been ?"
And in the, tenderness Of that mo-
ment-a tenderness that for the time
seemed to blot out all her own agony
and weakness Margaret raised her
pale. pure face and kissed him with a
kiss that held parting and grief and
- IL NO. .r " Is .a' r. 1.-