The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-09-03
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HW0MAN5 INFLUENCE


self would, it seems 10 me, make maj
or woman more particularly NAM
tirei Of himself. Now, don't look a
me with that expression, please. l don
want to be shrew, or preacher
| either. / detest everlasting preachers
and l don't intend to be one Never
theless, l wish to gracious you'd fine
something to do, and have bette
reason for going to New York than YOU
present one, which is-well, not partic
ularly creditable."
Margaret's voice broke slightly, bu
she tried TO hide the momentary weak
ness by slipping her coffee.
Brian face had flushed yery yisibl,
at her allu sion to the reason of his visits
TO the city and he, too, went on eatina
in silence.
Margaret" he said, presently, if yo,
have any old men or women who neeC
doctCr.ng call me in and I'll show yol
what l can do. I'm pretty fair, not:
withstandng my want of practice
Very we'll, Brian, be prepared for ar
early call. 1t is not your ability
doubt. though"
AS he had said, Brian went to New
York the next day. Il shall be back il
a day or so, he told Margaret on bid.
ding her good-by. You may expec,
ne.
Margaret did expect him, but she was
disappointed.
The days passed, and after his first
letter she heard no more from him. She
became worried and anxious, though
even to herself she would not acknowl-
edge her alarm,
Che did Not droop of 1nd;I,. b.r,,,
Intelligence Of such a mishap would
have reached her quickly. Yet in some
intangible way she felt that he was in
danger and needed her.
In cases like this philosophy is OF
little avail. To tell herself that this or
that was impossible, that Brian was
merely forgctful and Indifferent, aug
mented rather than relieved her fears.
To relieve her mind she role over to
The Cedars TO see and talk with Alice;
tut upon reaching her destination she
was told that Alice had left the house
with the intention of returning in sht TT
time.
As she had the afternoon at hel dis
posal. Margaret decided to wait; so she
touni her way to the small room adj oin-
ing the library and seated herself in a
loungng chair. The house was very
silent, and tho room unusually warm,
and as consequence Margaret, becom-
Ing rather drowsy, was soon quite I'M
conscious of her surroundings
How long she remained SO he did not
know, but presently she was aroused
hy loud voices ra;sei in some alterca-
ton. At first they were rather indis-
t.nct and seemingly put part of dream.
VERY well, sir, go to the devil for all
| care"
The Co,onels voice." Margaret de-
cidcd, still unable to shake off the i'm
PRE- on Of dreaming
What's the good of your education,
Id Ike to know" the voice continued
DO you imag ne l gave you the oppor-
tunity o reading law for you to give it
u when you grew tired? No, sir, This
idea of writ ng that's turned your head
is only another name for doing nothing
Confound me, | believe you want to be
like that d scoundrel, Leigh"
Margaret started. Was this dream
ing?
You are mistaken" came the answer
in Bertie's voice. Il have no desire to
emulate Brian in any respect. Please
credit me with some consideration for
Alice"
If you didn't show more for her than
he does for his wife, I'd shoot you with
my own hands. He ought to be hung,
the saoundrel! Leaving his wife as he
has been doing, allowing his domestic
affairs TO be the talk OF the neighbor-
hood and her Uame to become the sub
ject of discussion with every vulgar
gossip in the place, and he galivanting
around the city like loafer, lounging in
cubs mornings, Moons, and nights, and
drunk at that Beale saw him the other
day lying on the club house steps, too
drunk 10 move. And Margaret has
thrown herself away on such ere ature
Don't get SO excited, you say? Do you
think | am made Of stone? Do you
think | can talk quietly and calmly
when | remember her? Why in the
name OF heaven do such men have
wives? Why in the name of just
heaven Should she have such husband?
And why in the name Of the devil don t
some one shoot or hang him?
Margaret had heard all-every word
the Colohel's high pitched denuncia-
tons, Bertie's lower but not less en-
phatic ones, and now she could hear the
Colonel angrily pacing the library. his
regular rapid steps seeming to keep
time with her quick heart beats.
No. this was not dreaming. She was
fully awake. And cruuching down in
her chair she pressed her hands over
her eyes as though she would shut from
her sight the shame and disgrace that
was actually touching her life. Why
had it never occurred to her before?
Why had she not guessed that, while
she passed her thoughtless, unthinking
days in the safety of her own home, he
was following path of ruin amid the
glded temptations of New York; How
much of the blame would lie at her door,
and what would be the end? All, those
btt questions, with their more bitter
possibilities
Before her mind rose the memory Of
a solemn moment and the never-forgot-
ten words:
Don't forget Brian. Be good to him
for my sake"
Did she need such memories to make
her realize that now as never before
his future, his destiny rested in her
hands? She could not sit here and wait
quietly for Alice nor could she be found
here by either BERTHE or the Colonel
She must leave the house unobserved if
possible.
Alas, it was not possible Scarcely
had she reached the hall than BERTHE,
leaving the library at the same moment
came suddenly upon her
Margaret, he said, starting at sight
of her. You here? l did not know.
You are in tlouble. You are i'll Tell me. "
Heart sick. Berthe, only heart-sick, "
she returned, with half-sobbing
breath. while she caught at the door
fnr
is out: | cannot wait longer"
You have been waiting then" he
questioned, quite bewildered by 7
5 range manner. Margaret, he add
ed, with sudden revation, you heard "
Yes, she answered. lowering her
eyes before his plying glance. L was
in there and l heard ALL did not know
before"
Poor child, he said, with unusual
Gentleness. If Brian could only see
you now. l wish / could have told you
less abruptly. 1t was cruel. Father
will be so sorry. Let me bring him