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

ut is l, dear father" she said
gently. II came as soon as / could.
l would have been here long before if
l could have got a train; but l am
here, and shall not leave you now"
Thank Cod" said the feeble voice.
Margaret, drawing back a little, could
plainly see death written or the cold,
grey face, in the dulling eyes, on the
damp forehead. She had left her
father a few months ago a hale, hearty
men, whose hair was hardly yet
touched by time; she came back to find
him dying.
James C%rawford's had never been
the face of a strong man, and there
was little resemblance between father
and daughter; yet he had been hand
some, and in his youth he had been
a popular man after the kind called
good fellows" And two women had
loved him much-his wife, who had
died many years ago, and his daugh-
ter, who had always had for him that
kind of projecting love which a strong
woman gives to a weak man, even
though she be his daughter.
She knelt beside him now, soothing
him with hands of tenderness and
womanly comfort; but the dying man
tossed restlessly from side to side.
Give me something to strengthen
me, Meg" he said, calling her by the
old name no other had ever given her.
There is something OF the table
there; it will give me strength for a
few minutes to tell you what have to
| tell"
Margaret poured out a little OF the
liquid and held it to his lips. A faint
glow came into the grey face and dim
ming eyes, and in a few seconds he
began to speak, in low but distinct
tones.
Il have a confession to make. Mar
garet, before l die. | cannot go into
the other world, into the presence Of
Infinite Holiness, with SO great a sin
unconfessed. 1t is a fearful thing to
| die, Meg. One would willingly give
all one possesses, or eve did possess.
to undo all the past then; but we can
Motive cannot! Oh, my God, there
Is no forgiveness of sins in that sense
none. none!"
A terrible sickening fear had slowly
risen in Margaret's heart as he spoke.
Was it true. then what had always
been said about her father? II so. it
seemed to Margaret at that moment as
If she desired nothing else but to lie
down and die beside him; but the next
moment her womanly desire to help,
to comfort the poor ~repentant soul
came with full force upon her and she
laid her hand gently on his breast
Dear, dear father. whatever you
have done, whatever sin you have
been guilty of, there is forgiveness"
The dull eyes looked at her with a
pitiful expression Of appeal.
IF l had made restitution I might
then hope for pardon; but I have made
none. l have lived as If l had never
done that fearful wrong. Margaret,
listen while l tell It, for time is grow
ing short"
but why tell it, dear?" she pleaded
gently, close to his ear. do I not
know already what it was? You were
guilty two years ago. as people some
times said"
mo, no." he said. with a gasp.
You are mistaken-mistaken. Meg
It was not that. l was guiltless there;
l knew nothing Of the fraud"
THANK Cod" cried Margaret quick
". But the weak. chill. tremulous
hand stopped her.
"Guiltless of that: but a greater sin
lies on my shoulders, Margaret. Yes,
far greater, because the man I robbed
trusted me as his own brother-yes,
eve to the end.
Listen, for l must speak quickly.
1t Is ten years since it all happened
Margaret. l vas then manager of the
branch Of the Western bank In Glas-
gov, as + was later IN. You were only
a school girl of IL at the time.
II had an old friend who had been
q schoolmate years ago. He had been
abroad. but had come home some
months before. and he called to sea
me. He told me he had a large amount
to invest-it Is not necessary to say
how much.
AT that time, Margaret. was In
desperate straits. l knew that II
money was not forthcoming very
shortly l should lose my position. for
the bank depended very much on thii
branch OF 1t. and l had been sent ia
work up 2 connection.
my friend wished TO Invest his
money in some mining shares. but
meantime, for security. placed it with
me. A terrible temptation seized me.
II ! could only secure this money
could keep the bank anoat
AN opportunity came. The devil
always sets such opportunities for
men. One day my friends son. young
Cleland-"
A strange sound. half cry. half sob.
broke from Margarst's lips; but the
diving man did no. Aear it. He went
on, taking no notice Of Margaret.
young Cleland called at the bank.
l M hoI n nhAnL ~>toHJn 81 hs~o~~lp