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

terposed Brian, entering at this mo-
ment. Il have scolding for you, Mar
garet. thought"
i know" answered Margaret, rather
contritely. Il am really very sorry.
Doctor Wilson has excused me, and
have promised to do better for the 1u-
ture. So no more, please.
NO more. That is always your cry
when YOU need lecture. see you and
Wilson are friends already. thought
YOU would be. Effects Of kindred tastes.
Where did you walk this afternoon? 10
the end Of creation?"
"Oh, no. Only within the bounds OF
New York. 1 was not gone 80 very long,
really; but decided to go so late
that"
Another inopportune decision. I Won
der when you are half way to heaven II
you wort turn back and try the other
plaoe, Just to differ from the rest Of the
world. Wilson. behold the very incar!
nation of self-will. Leaving out this
little failing, she deserves Bertie's eulo-
gies, and l am wonderfully proud OF
her."
very consoling. I thank you, sir.
For reward I'll give you your dinner.
dare say you are ready for it.
Decidedly, Margaret. had
wretched lunch and my appetite is now
in prime condition. wish Wilson would
make like admission just to keep me in
countenance. don't expect much from
you. Shall we progress?"
much I admire your charming home,
remarked Wilson when they were COM
fortably seated about the table. +
ha1
apartments, but this one has thoroughly
converted me-"
II like them" said Brian, following
Wilson's glance around the room.
Much more cozy than a house. This
cne was my choice, though Margaret
gave me the cue. must let her have
the credit for all these fixings, however.
This room was much more empty when
we first moved in; now it seems real
homelike. 1t is astonishing what o
woman's hands can do"
Astonishing, repeated Wilson, mus
ingly. Don't make me bewail my lone
ly estate more deeply, beg Of you.
Think how these delightful rooms COM
pare with my dull quarters. No wonder
YOU don't care to show yourself there.
You are such stranger that was won.
dering to-day what you do with your.
SELF"
WHAT" repeated Margaret in hei
own mind, while she gave Brian rather
searching glance.
He pretended not to see it, however.
-Oh, I'm around generally" he an
swered rather unsatisfactory. Il don't
find any difficulty in occupying my time.
I'll run in upon you some night. Though
while Margaret is here
You will be taking her about great
deal, of course. Under those circum.
stances don't consider me. hope you
like sightseeing, Mrs. Leigh. Other
wise you must find it extremely tire
some. Or perhaps you are one Of those
fortunate individuals whose endurance
is always equal to the emergency"
Endurance" repeated Margaret,
starting from her train Of thought DO
you know, Doctor, think endurance ia
nothing more than determination or
will. 1t is with me, at least. # / make
up my mind to bear a thing l always
bear it, and if 1 don't, l don't. You
seem amused, Brian. but I'm sure you
can say the same thing if you would.
When I was child I used to pinch my
arm to see how long could stand the
pain WIIuOuG VI lylASs uoV q ASPto'AA0
tap from my old nurse sent me into
spasms Of weeping. That was all will,
you see.
All will" repeated Brian. Il thank
you for telling US, Margaret. can
imagine how you tried that poor old
nurse. What are you intending to illus.
trate?"
Simply that our wills have everything
to do with our feelings. DR.. Wilson
wants to know if l find sightseeing
tiresome. I am afraid I do. But like
It, and so quite forget that the hard
pavements tire my feet most dreadfully,
and that when ride I'm jostled almost
to death. Really, Doctor, you may say
what you please about your wonderful
city, but think its streets are an ever
lasting disgrace to any civilized town.
Il have nothing to say In their de-
fense," admitted the Doctor, with
laugh. They are bad. Does your idea
of endurance extend to social duties
also?"
Yes, certainly. Why should they be
called duties, l wonder? / have special
distaste for that word. 1t carries with
it the sense of obligation, and obliga-
ton is always disagreeable.
quizzically. Il dare say you are right,
though. Duty can be most unpleasant.
We are queerly constituted at best"
Il think We are rather natural, added
Margaret. 1T isn't to be expected that
we women should like to do what we
feel we ought. Just put must before
request and it grows disagreeable i'm
mediately for me. l might go to a ball
op1 danco ali niOht with n raging head
ache, but wouldn't think OF going to
church in the same condition. I'd be
much too i'll I'm giving you dreadful,
example, am l not? Well, l can only
advise you to do neither as say nor as
do"
Il always thought you religious, Mar
garet
You have never thought anything Of
the kind" returned Margaret. meeting
Brian's mischievous eyes. Why should
you think so? Simply because I'm
woman. What a reason. / believe the
world does think religion was made for
women rather than men, though it is the
men who really need it. Poor women!
They are obliged to walk stiff and
straight in certain beaten track. They
mustn't do this, they mustn't do that,
and they mustn't do the other, until they
are so encompassed by wall of musts
and mustn't IS that l wonder they have
any individuality left
Thank heaven you haven't lost your
individuality yet, Margaret. Wilson, you
We're regretting your lonely estate
awhile ago; after listening I" such re-
marks from the mouth OF one woman
beware Of all others and rejoice at your