The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-05-17
Margaret
By SUSAN cLAGETT
By SUSAN cLAGETT

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copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure Newspa-
| per SyndicateO
| The air was filed with the perfume
of roses and the morning breeze blew
the light curtains to and fro and watt
ed the delicious fragrance through the
open window. A little child was seat
ed upon the floor burying white
kitten under the red rose petals she
mad pulled from stems scattered about.
Near her lay a doll very much I'M
dressed. Beside it a little pile of
dainty clothing ready for use when her
mistress remembered what was due to
responsibility.
watching the group with listless
eyes was woman, stretched with an
lnVallds inertness upon a couch. Lis
tening to the childs low talk, she
caught the sound of a quick step upon
the veranda and faint CLEAN Of color
rose to her face~to disappear before a
man stepped through the long window
into the room; man alert in move
ment whose keen eyes softened to
marvellous gentleness as he looked to-
ward her.
with an almost imperceptible mo-
ton the girl pressed more deeply into
the pillows supporting her. The slight
movement was not lost upon the man,
who laid his hand upon the child's
head, laughing as he turned her face
to meet his gaze.
What a careless, careless mother,
Ruth, to leave your child in this con-
dition. She will take cold"
I'm aw'ly anxious, Doctor Max, and
I'm glad you have come" she an
swered, gravely. "Im afraid Column
bia has hurt herself and will have to
have an OPERATION"
With gravity equaling her own, the
physician took the doll and worked at
stiff and broken joints until legs and
arms moved easily. He was glad Of
the respite, for the slight withdrawing
of the woman upon the couch had hurt
him to the quick. Not until the doll
was in perfect order did he turn and
takes the slender hand in his strong,
warm clasp. With professional quick
ness he noted the irregular pulse and
heavy eyes.
"You did not sleep last night" he
said gently.
mo-" she answered, quietly meet
ing his eyes.
stood for long looking with unseeing
eyes into the old-fashioned garden
"You gain no strength" he said at
last, the misery in his heart told in
the sudden strain of his voice. For
the moment the usually self-contained
was not himself.
IF I thought my leaving you, Mar
geret, would be your gain, would go
within the hour. But you need me- |
You need my strength, my under
standing. This, that you allow to |
stand between US is false conception |
of your physical condition. You have |
thought about yourself until you have |
become obsessed by the idea that you
are helpless invalid"
"Will I ever be strong, MAXI"
Strength would come with happi-
ness. 1t is happiness you are fighting
with all that is in you under the mis-
taken impression that you would make I
of my life failure by coming to me,
need you more than I can
say. need peace of mind. That I |
cannot have when see you putting
from you the love God has implanted
in your heart; that you have told me
you feel for me. ai@
'The battle is going against you,
dear. Each day I see It. 1t is the
constant effort to keep the barrier be-
tween us that tells so upon you. 1
know this as your physician. l know
t because Of my love for you. Why
are you so unwilling to allow me to be
The judge of what is best for me?
That is what you are doing. Deciding
'or me. Dear, no man who is a man
S going to accept without protest such
/ decision. If you care nothing for
ne there is nothing more to be said.
am man enough, hope, to take my
without whimpering. But
you have told me that you do care;
hat you will not give yourself to me
because you will be drag upon my
ife."
There was a moment of silence. then
he put her slender fingers about his
md rested her cheek against his
land. "Max, would that be at peace
( I did as you wish?" she asked gen
ly as she placed his hand over her
aboring heart. would happiness con-
inue where there would be constant
egret? You say am obsessed by
he fear I would spoil your life. /
m. What help could be to a man
limbing, as you are climbing each
lay higher in your profession? L
you'd be proud of you, yet 1 could |
% nothing but sit and wait and listen. i
md when you were not with me there
would always be regret. Try as 1 n
7ould, could not hide it. Your love .
7ould find it out and you would be {
g miserable as l." Z