The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-10-06

abruptness. MY service is not worth I
such mention"
Without another word he pressed her t
hand and was gone, leaving her rather {
surprised at his unusual manner.
CHAPTER XXI.
HAYWOOD AGAIN.
Margaret had finished her breakfast,
and even after Brian had left she still
sat over the table, her heart filled with
sweet content, and her eyes dim with
the happy tears that shut from her vision
the familiar objects about her.
For she was home. Home. in dear old
Elmwood.
And now, after eating what she de-
clared to Brian to be her biggest break
fast in three months, she wanted to sit
still and feast her eyes upon the smooth
green lawns where the bright sun slfted
itself through luxuriant network OF
green branches, and the lilac and the
hawthorn were bursting into breath
Of fragrant flowers, ami say to herself
it is good to be hore.
She repeated the same words to Brian
when he came In at luncheon, and he,
looking at her face, almost marveled at
the change that had come over 1t.
Il dare say, you are right, Margaret
it is good for you to be here. don't
believe exaggeratc when l declare
that there Is already some color In your
cheeks. What have you been doing
with yourself this morning?"
Il don't believe l can begin to tell
you First, there was so much to talk
about with Mrs. Davis. We have been
[ laying our heads together and evolving
some delightful plans. You will see the
results after awhile; AMI then, this
: afternoon l must go to The Cedars. l
am pining for sight Of the Colonel.
And he, no doubt. is pining for
l.. sight Of you. suppose that will COM
Q plete your happiness.
o AS nearly as it can be completed.
u Do you remember how we left Elmwood,
Brian, under the chill and cold OF win
v ter, and we return to it in the Joy OF a
8 glad resurrection! accept 1t as an
omen, and am-very happy.
o Sho LETT the table with these words
% and walked to the open window. Brian
followed her.
Il Let me share your happiness" ne
j. said, In low voice. Darling, the pro-
% baton has been very long"
is He slipped his hand about her waist,
I'd and drew her to the veran 10 outside.
d. you remember our compact? shall
to keep It-be sure Of that-until the day
rs comes that you shall bid me break IT.
| And it will come, Margaret, as certainly
as we both stand here. You will fine
u. me very patient until I have won my
tn victory, for l feel that even the price
ur which Jacob paid for Rachel Is not too
X dear to pay for you. Now, may tel
~ YOU what have been doing today"
no "Yes: I shall like very much to hear.
%, well, have been taking with DR.
as Phillips. wish you would let me SCI
1t your face, Margaret. 1t will be NOR
g. encouraging than your back. There
al that is better; thank you. ! saw Dr.
nd Philips, as said, and / told him OF 10,
GU wish to build up practice hore. JUS
as expected, he feels his ADVANCING
TO- wears, and will be very glad ef youn
assistant. He is delighted to help tn
IT. son of his old partner, he tells me. S
YOU sec am particularly fortunate.
mt can step right into his shoes, and, thong
I may find them very large
IN, "You will grow" put in Margaret
,en GLAD of this new turn to the converse
Il ton. "And I am very much pleased,
EGE she auuSu, IlOlC S5ldNCASs
| 80 am I. 1t Is the first step towar
led winning my wife.
be 4 half hour later Margaret was 81
the ting in the chair Of honor in Alice
you rooms, half-laughing, half-crying, an
trying to ask and answer questions
i'm the same breath.
ave I'm going to keep you few minute
re, all to myself" declared Alice, "becaus
/ T | %oll MoYr
the So much I could only hint at it In n
ian letters. I could not express one-ha
en-. the happiness longed for you to share
J SO II am SO glad, DEAR" Margaret a
b l swered. $50 very glad for you and
I BERTHE. Tell me oil about it now.
The 1t was fully fifteen minutes befo
the Alice sent the message telling her unc
ing that Margaret was there. 1t broug
me- the Colonel in very quick time:
TRY "Oh, Colonel" she cried, and the ne
car. second she was folded IN his arms.
ter; Back again, Margaret. am
the glad, child. This time we mean to Ike
1ar- YOU. Bless your dear heart; 1t does I
own eyes good to see you. Even though y
have grown 50 thin and your face Is
white as our own snow-balls.
se?" Colonel, you hurt my vanity.
shall grow wonderfully laV duu "o'A
mon few weeks. You won't know +
the Brian thinks have some color alread
saw Brian! Let Brian go to the de'
mire I beg your pardon, my dear. sec
ther have Mortified you. am not ov
,om- pleased with Brian, as you may que
ailed dare say you find excuses for
hitter scamp, however. I am glad he
Rv some grace left. You women
,tten usually manage men. I was yett
ready to come and shoot him, bu
anti must acknowledge that your met
your has been more ehecCuai'
Jury "He is growing tired of doing nc
, inst ing" she answered, without meet
the Colonel's glance, "and he has
that cided to practice his profession h
md 7 I dare say he will become as highly
YOU spected as dear uncle Stephen was.
3rian Highly respected! Fiddlesti'
YOU. There it is again, Margaret The
come of prejudice, most probably
stat beg your pardon second time,
oand. predict that Brian will become all
"a for YOU want to make him. II he doe
had a Ili-"
, GER Shoot him, suppose, put in \
mis- garet, with laughing eyes. That w
Grape be a fatal blow to my hopes. | beg
,ry of you will spare me the humiliation
aht' failure. And please give Brian CT
" no On his own account.
Certainly, my dear, all he desel
|mpse though l must add that don't cons