The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-08-23

the black and ~impenetrable future.
At the end Of the frst fortnight MAJ.
torie knew, though her mother only
lust referred to the matter. that let
tiers were daily arriving from Sir
William Gouldesbrough.
One evening Lady Poole. unable 70
keep the news from her daughter any
longer, told her of the communica-
tons.
Il dare say, darling" the old lady
said, II may give you pain, but l think
you really ought to know how wonder.
fully Door, dear William Is behaving
in this sad affair. Though 1t must be
terribly hard for him, though 1t must
fill him with a pain that l can only
guess at, he is moving heaven and
earth to discover what has become OF
your poor dear boy. He Is daily writ
ing to me to tell me what he Is doing.
to inform me Of his hopes, and tell
you, Marjorie. that If human power
can discover what has happened to
Gerald, William Gouldesbrough will
discover 1t. Do realize, dear, what a
noble thing this is in the man you
have rejected. Whenever l receive his
letters l cannot help crying a little; 1t
seems so noble, so touching, and SO
beautiful Of him."
Marjorie was sitting at the table.
The ladies dined in their private
rooms, and it was after the meal. Her
head was in her hands and her eyes
were full of tears. She looked up as
her mother said this, with a white,
wan face.
"Ah, yes, DEAR" she replied. there
is no doubt of that; William was al
ways noble. He is as great In heart
as he IL in intellect. He is indeed n
Of the chosen and best. Don't think
I don't realize it, mother, now you've
told me; indeed l do realize it. My
whole heart is filled with gratitude to-
ward him. No one else would have
done so much in his position"
You do feel that, do you, dear!"
Lady Poole said.
"Oh, indeed l do" she answered.
though l fear that even he. great a.
his intellect is, will never diaperse
this frightful, terrible darkness"
Lady Poole got up and came round
to where her daughter was sitting.
She put her hand upon the shining
coils of hair and said:
Dear, do you think that you could
bear to see him?"
ITO see William" Marjorie answer.
ed, quickly, with a curious catch in
her voice.
Yes. darling; to see William.
| Would it give you too much pain"
But how, why, for what reason?"
"Oh, not to revive any memories OF
the past: there is nothing farther
from his thoughts. But this morning
he wrote me the very sweetest letter,
saying that in this crisis he might be
able to give you a little comfort"
HAS he discovered anything,
then" Marjorie asked.
Il fear not az yet. But he says that
at this moment you must feel very
much alone. As you know. he 10 do.
ing all that mortal man can. OF
course, I have told him how broken
you are by 1t all. and he thinks that
perhaps. you might like to hear what
he IL doing-might like to conflde II
him . little. IT, he says in his let
ter, she will receive me as a brother
whose only wish IL to help her in thi1
dreadful trial. can I say how proud
and grateful l shall be to come to het
and tell her what I cam"
Marjorie gave a great sob. 1t W.
too much. In her nervous and weak
condition the gentle and kindly met
sage her mother had given her va
terribly affecting.
How good he isl" she murmurel.
Eyes, mother, II only he would come I
should like to see him"
Then, my DEAR" Lady Poole 10.
piled. that is very easily arranged, Dr
he 10 in the hotel tonight"
Ito Be Continued.)