The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22
CHAPTER XvII.


To Rrian. the knowledge that Mar
garet had not lost all feeling 1or nun
and that her faith in him was strong
notwithstanding his many 1alls
brought new strength and courage.
With the power of strong determine
ton he seemed to be gaining victory
| over that old habit. Not an entire one,
of course. Margaret could not expect
| so much. Sometimes a 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 together? ! think few might
wait until the others are we'll.
$50 they might, Mrs. Leigh, if they
could see the matter from your point OF
view. Unfortunately, however, illnessi
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. I con-
fess I 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 we'll earned"
YES" he laughed, though that is no
proof against its being broken. The
only time my profession brings regret
is when I hear my night bell Jingling
and I am called from a delightful
nap"
Just as I've always said" observed
Brian, with a side glance at Margaret.
a doctors life is ali work and no
play" =.
and you like the play best; don
you?" she rejoined, quickly. Still, play
or not, Brian, it is very noble profess
sion, and when I was child l always
declared I should be doctors wife"
There was a decided question in the
eyes she fixed upon him.
Poor Margaret" he replied, joining
in Wilson's laugh. What a miserable
concern you managed to get. Only the
beginning Of one."
Don't be 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 despiss
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 a half smile:
Brian will become an hohored mem
Der of the profession before his days are
ended. predict that, Mrs. Leigh"
"Ah, I have quite decided it," re-
turned Margaret promptly. Brian
knows that as we'll as do. !
couldn't have all my childish calcula-
tions upset. used to think Uncle
Stephen the very personiication Of all
things good and noble, and wondered
then if his son we're 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.
Il never form an opinion Of a book
after reading only its first page. Imusi
90 deeper to see if it will realize or dis.
appoint my expectations. Besides, ]
don't air my views in public. Speaking
OF views" she continued more lightly.
Il have some I want to show you, Doc.
tor. You must promise to think them
very beautiful. or I shall be disap.
pointed. Brian, viii 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 ms 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 you wonder that I should
love it so dearly? My wonder is that
Brian doesn't care for it as do, for he
was born there. l think he has the
least bit Of fondness for Bohemian ex-
istence. I am sorry for him, because I
do think it most unsatisfactory sort Of
life. I agree with George Eliot that
we all should have one home spot that
shall stand clearly out in memory, and
to which our minds and hearts may al
ways return, no matter how far we may
have wandered from it.
Margaret broke off with sigh This.
she added, taking up another picture in
some haste, is side view Of The Cedars.
Colonel Barton's home. Brian and
were speaking Of Bertie when you camd
in. He has finished his book and the
publishers predict great success for it.
Yes, I read it in the manuscript some
time ago. thought it excellent Bertie
is full of pluck ana deserves success.
By the way, met him to-day. He was
in cheerful spirits. He tells me he has
a charming wife You know her, Of
course, Mrs. Leigh"
Almost like 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. i 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 o chair close beside her, and Brian
busted himself in gathering up the
scattered pictures.
Il acknowledge that like your city
the least bit better than l did,, ad-