The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-07-14
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CHAPTER VI.

garet alone.
She was standing near the open win
dow, and SO intent upon arranging some
lilies in bowl that she did not notice
his presence until he was close beside
her.
His voice recalled hor absent thoughts,
and, looking up with start, the warm
blood mounted to her brow, notwith-
standing her effort to control the mo.
mentary weakness.
Il did not expect to see you 50 soon,
she said, in answer to his Good morn
ing"
and I did not expect to see you
alone. We are both disappointed-I
most agreeably. Will you allow me to
assist you? No? Perhaps you doubt
my ability. I shall improve it by watch
ing you. Or, better still, I shall take
advantage of this opportunity to tell
you that am sorry ever came here"
THAT is poor compliment to Miss
Hilton and me, replied Margaret, with
an attempt at lightness, and an absorb
ing interest in her task.
You know what mean, he returned,
with some warmth. you know why
the very sight Of you is painful for me.
You seem happy enough, but am ut
terly miserable"
did you sleep we'll last night?" she
broke in, with questionable irrelevancy,
placing the flowers, which she could
make no further pretext of fixing, in the
middle of the table.
mo, I didn't sleep at all, was the
rather short reply; Il was haunted"
Haunted! How unpleasant! wonder
why they don't bring in breakfast.
Will you ring that bell by you, please?"
NO, no! Wait one moment, Mar
garet. I dare say the coffee isn't ready,
or the steak isn't cooked, or something.
l don't like my breakfast half done; be-
sides, I'm not hungry"
But am; I've had long ride this
morning"
You didn't use to ride at S'conset.
Confound that hole! How / wish it had
been swallowed up before l ever saw it!
Why did you deceive mo, Margaret?
You told me your name was Smith.
"And SO it was while I was there.
Others knew me as Miss Smith, why
shouldn't you?"
She colored in spite of herself.
you might have told me afterward, "
he continued, reproachfully. What a
difference it would have made!"
Il understand" she replied, with not
a little scorn, and Brian, feeling that he
had committed himself again, was about
to say something in his own vindication,
when the door opened and Miss Hilton
entered, thus putting an end to the tete-
a-tete.
He saw Margaret's expression of re-
lief, and his heart sank accordingly.
But during breakfast she talked to him
SO pleasantly and naturally that he be-
gan to feel less depressed. He was even
planning quiet hour with her during
the morning, when she arose from the
table, with the words:
Il think shall ride over to The Cedars,
Miss Hilton. / haven't seen Alice since
my return, you know. 1 am sure you
and cousin Brian will have lots TO talk
over, so I'll leave him in your hands.
Miss Hilton noticed the change that
passed over Brian's countenancc, but
she answered quite checrfully:
very we'll, my dear. You mustn't
neglect your friends. Brian and will
have nice, quiet morning together
Don't let the Colonel keep you toe
long"
After your remark about the quie1
morning, 1 think I'll spend the day,
was Margaret's quiet rejoinder, as sht
passed through the door which Brian
held open for her.
Twenty minutes later she had mount
ed her horse, and was following thu
well-kept road through the busy littl,
town. But though she was noddint
every few minutes to the people sh'
passed, her thoughts were far from he
present surroundings.
Certain ideas had obtained lodgmen
in her mind and refused to be displaced
For the first time, the possibility tina
her uncle had looked forward to q uniol
between her cousin and herself came t,
her with a certainty that was absolute
pain. She recalled many incidents ant
illusions, many half-forgotten converse
tons, which received deeper meanin!
from this new possibility.
She remembered that often, in speak
ing of Brian, her uncle had said a goo
wife would be his salvation, that HON
ties would bind him to a more usefu
life, and that his most earnest desir
| was to see his hayward son well an
happily married.
But she remembered, above all, tina
when her uncle lay dying he had awak
| ened, after many hours of unconscious
ness, to say, in accents which only he
ear could catch: God will bless an
guard you, Margaret. Don't forge
Brian, and be good to him for my sake.
The request had sounded oddly ther
but now it had new meaning. Wa
her uncle looking into the future eve
then, or did he in his dying moment
enjoy the happy delusion that his hope
| were realized'
Margaret was trying to answer thi
| painful question when she reached he
| destinations handsome, modern-loob
| ing house, surrounded by stately cedarE
Running up the broad staircase, wit
| the air of one familiar with the SUI
| roundings, she paused before hall
| opened door, with the words:
May l come in. Alice?"
For answer, there was glad cry; tn
sound of chair falling, followed b
| rapid footsteps, and a pretty girl of
brunette tyre rushed into Margaret
arms and kissed her with affectional
impatuosity.
'Oh, I am 50 glad to see you, she erie
between her spasmodic caresses. "Yo
ear child, you've been away al ag'
You look pale, too, or perhaps it's tn
black dress. Come right In. Every
things mussed as usual. There, tax