The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-09-24
CHAPTER AVII.

brought new strength and courage.
With the power of strong determina-
ton he seemed to be gaining victory
over that old habit. Not an entire one,
of course. Margaret could not expect
so much. Sometimes friend could
lure him away, but this was seldom,
and never since their talk in her room
had he lost the entire command of him
self.
Under these circumstances Margaret
felt her heart considerably lightened.
She could look forward more hopefully
to the future, and her letters took on
something of her OWE cheerful spirit.
Brian could not fail TO see the change.
and it was equally apparent to Wilson,
in his few brief visits. He only dropped
in upon rare occasions now, seldom
stayed long, and always claimed that he
was too busy even to find time to see
his friends.
Il suppose we must accept your ex-
cuses, Doctor" Margaret replied one
evening to his usual plea. Cant you
teach your patients some idea of the fit
ness of things? Why should they all
get sick toge.h her? / think few might
wait until the others are WE'LL"
so they might, Mrs. Leigh, if they
could see the matter from your point of
view Unfortunately, however, illness,
like time and tide, waits for no man.
We have had very trying winter. and
pneumonia is very prevalent. That has
added considerably to my labors. ! con
fess l am thoroughly tired out when
night comes, and only too glad to creep
into bed.
And sleep in the comfortable sense
that your rest is Wei earned.
Yes, he laughed, though that is no
proof against its being broken. The
only time my profession brings a regret
is when | hear my night bell Jingling
nap
Just as I've always said" observed
Bran, with side glance at Margaret.
A Doctors life is all work AMI no
play.
And you like the play best; don't
you?" she rejoned, quickly. Still, play
or not Brian, il is a very noble profess
sion, and when l was child l always
declared l should be a doctors Wife. q"
There was a decided question in the
eyes she fixed upon him.
Poor Margaret" he replied, joining
in Wilson's laugh. Nv hat miserable
concern on managed to get. Only the
beginning of one.
Don't b. SO generous with your sym
pathy, please. A beginning is better
than nothing. An acorn is only the be-
ginning of an oak, but we don't dtspise
the acorn. because it is not an oak
yet.
Wilson, as well as Brian, caught the
delicate emphasis on the yet, and he
answered with half smile.
Brian VIII become an hohored men,
Der of the profession before his days are
,nded. predict that, Mrs. Leigl.
All, | have quite decided it, re-
turned Margaret promptly. Bran
knows that "a well as | do. /
couldn't have all my childish calclla
ton, upset. ! used to think Uncle
Stephen the very personiiication of all
things COOL and noble, and | wondered
then if his son Were anything like him.
You see | had not met Brian.
And now, Margaret. that you have
met him?"
Brian came behind her chair with
this question. She glanced back at him
and smiled.
after reading only its first page. must
go deeper to see if it will realize or dis
appoint my expectations. Besides, l
don't air my views in public. Speaking
OF views, she continued more lightly
4 have some | want to show you, Doe
tor. You must promise to think them
very beautiful. or | shall be disap-
pointed Brian, will you get them,
please"
At this request Brian got out small
folio of wood cuts and pen pictures of
various scenes about Elmwood and the
surrounding country. They were all
excellent, and Wills n S appreciation was
was warm enough TO satisfy even Mar
garet's enthusiasm.
DO YOU wonder that | am proud of
Elmwood?" she asked, after an ami
mated description of several Of its finest
points. "Do Won wonder that ! should
love it so dearly? Ny wonder is that
Brian donsn,t care for it as do, for he
was born there. l think he has the
least bit of fondne5s for Bohemian ex-
stence ! am sorry for him, because
do think il most unsatisfactory sort of
life | agree with George Eliot that
we all should have one home spot that
shall stand clearly out in memory, and
10 which our minds and hearts may al
ways return, no matter how far we may
have wandered from it.
Margaret broke off with q sigh This, :
She added, taking up another picture in
some haste, is a side view Of The Cedars,
Colonel Barton's home. Brian and |
were speaking of BERTHE when you came
ill., He has finished his book and the
publishers predict a great success for it. "
Yes, / read it in the manuscript some
time ago. | thought it excellent. BERTHE
is full Of puck and deserves success.
By the way, | met him to-day. He was
in cheerful spirits. He tells me he has
charming wife. You know her, of
course, Mrs. Leigh.
Almost like a sister, | may say. ]
hear from her quite frequently. She
writes very delightful letters. She is
constantly expressing the fear that /
shall become so infatuated with New
York and its pleasures that | shall for
get what she calls their rural delights.
| try to convince her that there is no
danger of that"
No. | fear You are too firm in your
opinions ever to be converted, no matter
how earnestly we may try.
As he spoke, Wilson left the table and
drew Il chair close beside her, and Brian
lusied himself in gathering up the
scattered pictures.
Il acknowledge that like your city
the least bit better than | did. adj
mitted Margaret, but further than that
| can not 20. | forgot TO tell you that
| saw Your little cripple to-day.
should think she was very i'll.
g I,,& s.,r
weeks at most" was his answer. a
thank YOU for your interest in her
Please don't thank me. I'm Won
derfully seif-satisfied, and | may begin
to think I've done something merit0ri-
GUS Brian, do come from behind my
chair. You make me think OF Satan
1 Get in front of me, please.
Thanks for Your compliment. You
/ candor is really refreshing. | want to
/ hear about the new unfortunate /
/ guessed from your face at dinner that