Year: 1876

secret for strength to bear whatever might be
coming. The rector was the first to speak
again.


margaret" he said below his breath, Evil
you promise not to hate me, if tell you all?'


For an answer, she clasped her arms about
him and drew him to her heart-that faithful
heart which had shared his joys and grief;
for twenty years. Sob after sob shook his
frame as be clung to her-clung as little
child might cling to mother, feeling its
weakness sheltered by her strength, and by
the all.suffcency of her. forgiving love. She
soothed him with caresses and halfbroken
words, trembling still at the thought of what
she might have to hear; but resolving to help
him bear the burden, whatever it might be-
as she had helped him bear every other bur
den that had ever come upon him since the
beginning of their married life. If he had
erred, who should forgive him so readily as
she?


margaret" he resumed presently, "it was
all from that legacy-that miserable legacy
which has broug ght nothing but sin and un'
happiness with it, and which I cannot think
of fnow without loathing Ifit had never been
sent, should have been spared all this-not
that want to excuse myself, God knows, fol
there is no excuse for me, none. Since thai
chest has been in the house, have been 8
wretcbed mana wretched, guilty man
Guilty of sordd desires and covetous long
ings-guilty of all but murder ; for it made me
long for my own brothers death. Ihave looked
at that thing, and thought of what it might
contain, and speculated on the chances of my
possessing it, until all the 6ends in the uni
verse seemed to get into my brain and throne
it with evil fancies. I have thought of al
we could do if we were rich, until it appeared
to me that there would never be happiness fol
me any more if that money did not come into
my hands-for money suppose there is, il
some form or other; and [ could fix my mind
on nothing else. The thought haunted me
day and night like spectre. And I fancied
my disappointment if George should will il
away to any one else; and it seemed to mt
that there was nothing could shrink from
doing-nothing-to get safe hold of it before
the ten years were out And l knew there
was but one way-through his death"


He stopped moment, shuddering; ther
went resolutely on.


"It was the devil himself that put such 6
suggestion in my mind ; but there it was, and
I could not get rid of it,. 1t twisted and turn
ed itself into all sorts of shapes, and woulc
not be put aside. 1t followed me even in my
dreams. 1t was as though voice was whis
pering continually in my ear, of what use II
the money to him; of what use is his poor
feeble life? Only end that and everything
will be yours. At first I tried not to heal
it; but afterward I seemed to listen, and tc
think about it, and consider how it might bt
DONE Margaret, are you listening? Doyor
not hate me yet?'


A closer pressure answered him. "Go on,
she whispered, family. Her heart was sick
with the fear of what he nj ght tell her next


"At last my mind got so full Of the thought
that it seemed to me l must carry it out, one
way or another. l used to look at George
Id 20 into his room at night sometimes
thK f1S # eeddud Ertah ba doae AM
yet there was mixed up with this horrible
idea feeling of pity for him; feeling thai
l could not bear that he should suffer.
wanted to put him out of the way, but to dc
it so that he should feel no pain, and never
know that 1 meant him any harm. want
ed to find SOME way of doing it so that il
would never be known, too thought his
feeble health, and his threat of beart-disease
might cover a sudden death; but still coulc
not fix upon plan. Last night, | was lying
in bed, thinking, thinking, still about the
same thing, and suddenly an inspiration
seemed to flash over me-Id steal up to hi:
room and smother him; put a wet towel ove'
his face as he slept, and end his life in thai
way. Margaret, Margaret, hold me close te
you don't let me go!"


He was shaking now like an aspen, and 6
clammy perspiration stood upon his brow
Her own face was deathly pale, but bel
strong, tender clasp never relaxed.


II started up in bed-yes, the devil hac
entered into me, as he did into Judas lscar
lot, and was leading me whittier he would.
put on my slippers and was just reaching ou
my hand for my dressing -gown-for | fel
dreadfully cold-when 1 heard Georges bel
ring For moment | felt stunned
thought an avenging spirit must have come
between US, and warned him of his danger
A great fear came on me, and dropped up
on my knees but before I could think of {
word Of prayer the bell rang again, so loudly
and sharply, that dared not delay, bu
rushed at once upstairs. When l got there
saw at once that his final summons had
come to him-I read it in his face. Marga
ret, what felt in that moment was almost 6
sufficient punishment for my SIM"


Again there was silence, broken only by
the rector's quivering breath, and the audible
beating Of the two hearts pressed against each
other.


"Speak to me, he whispered at last. "Tel
me what. you think"


81 think" she answered in clear voice
for she had gathered up all her strength fol
her reply, 81 think that you were, for time
under the influence of Satan, whom God suf
fered to tempt you, to show you your own
weakness, and draw you afterward more
nearly to Him. We must worship Him fol
His goodness in saving you from crime


"You can speak of it thus-you can look
at me without horror-without flying from
contact with me?"


"Edward-my own dearest-would l ever
fly from youS'


eff 1 we're guilty, you would"


"I would not! But oh, thank God in
heaven, you are not guilty you are"


Her voice failed here, and she broke into g
hysterical passion of tears. Her wrought uE
nerves had suddenly given way, and the re
action was more than she could bear. Hel
weakness did him good it reused him from
his own selfaccusing thoughts to exert him
self in her behalf, and to strive to restore her
to composure. She clung to him as to one
saved from shipwreck, or some other awfu
doom, the words of thanksgiving returning
again and again to her lips.