The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-07-07
CHAPTER Y.
HONE AGAIN,

toward the Close OF May Inab DTldu up
preached Elmwood. A telegram, sent
from New York the day before, had an
nounced his coming, and, ON alighting
from the train, he found the carriage
awaiting him, and the old coachman he
remembered so we'll beaming q smiling
welcome.
Five years had wrought very percept-
IDLE changes in the aspect Of the .eoun-
try. The small town lying within the
shelter of tho valley, true to its old
progressive spirit, revealed wonderful
DEVELOPMENT. New and imposing resi-
dences were to BE seen on all sides.
Busy activity was everywhere visible,
and Brian began to imagine himself
modern Rip Van Wrinkle, returning to
his home after long absence.
His home? Alas! this was his home
no longer. For the first time perhaps
the full force Of this idea struck him.
From the carriage window he caught
distant glimpses of Elmwood, the state
ly old house GROWING the brow OF the
hill like sentinel guarding the village
below, its terraced gardens sloping to
the narrow river winding like a silver
thread between its green banks, and
the splendid old forest trees clothed in
| the tender foliage Of May.
He sighed as he turned from the pic
ture. He had never been particularly
| fond of Elmwood in the old days, the
country under no circumstance Offering
inducements that he found alluring, but
now all was changed The home he had
looked upon as his had passed into the
hands of another, and the knowledge
raised new longings and new desires in
his heart.
He tried to picture the cousin who
had taken his inheritance from him, but
his imagination could grasp nothing
definite. He wondered if she were tall
or short, dark or light, cold or affable,
and then.he fell to framing face in his
mind; and as the intangible shadow
assumed clearer shape it unconscious
ly took on the form and features OF the
Margaret he had left In the fishing town
on Nantucket.
Bother til" he cried, gnawing his
mustache with tierceness that argued
inward disturbance. The want Of
money Is the greatest bore under the
sun. Margaret was such dear girl.
This thought came as natural Sc
quence to the other, and he smiled at
the possibilities it suggested.
/ Poor Brian had his faults; among
them an Overweening love for his own
comfort, and an intense dislike for what
ever could cause him the least incon-
venience. His love for money was rela-
tive, not abstract. Money could buy
pleasure and luxury, therefore he de-
sired it's possession.
He had no ambition for the fame to
be won by his own endeavor. No de-
sire. to take his place in the working
world and win his way in the struggle
for prominence. Privation and hard
ship, those prolific mothers Of greatness,
were wanting in his life, and the activ-
ity and industry which Margaret adj
mired were to him a laborious effort
that no after greatness could compen-
safe. His education was in part re-
sponsible for these ideas. Selfish and
INDECENT by nature, he had early been
deprived Of his mother, and in her per-
son, of the careful training and judicious
dicipline which might have weakened, il
not wholly eradicated, these traits
His father was lily fitted for the guard.
ianship Of a quick, impulsive boy, anc
the injudicious Indulgence of an ole
nurse strengthened the already strong
characteristics. When, as frequently
happened, Brian grew unmanageable
his father was appealed to, and his Sc
verify on such occasions had far from
the desired effect.
Such a course of training had prac
teal effect on Brian's after life. Whe1
he left college, he studied medicine, II
accordance with his fathers wishes, ant
during the progress of his studies, pro
ceeded to SOW his wild oats with sucl
unusual vim that frequent quarrels be
tween himself and father became the
rule.
These terminated in one more bite
than all the rest, which resulted il
Brian's departing for Europe, and his
father threatening to discontinue his al
lowance. A very direful threat, tina
ended, as Brian expected, in nothin:
more than words.
Brian had been travelling severa
months when Margarets father died ant
she took up her residence at Elmwood
Once there, she soon won her way tt
her uncle's heart, and the old gentleman
formed the project OF marriage be
tween her and his son. He died withou
realizing his hope, and for reason
which he did not disclose, he left all hi
property to Margaret, and cut Brian Of
with an income of $4,000. Now, afte
five years absence, the disinherited sol
was experiencing the novel sensation G
entering his old home visitor.
The friendly, familiar air Of every
thing about him, made his sense Of los
more keen; and when old St. phens, VIII
/ had known him as boy, met him at tn
} door with eyes suspiciously moist, an
face full of emotion, he found himse]
so overcome that he could do nothin
) more than grasp the toil-worn hand c
the faithful old servant, and shake
with impulsive affection.
Poor Stephens" he said to himself
when left alone to his reflections.
firmly believe the faithful fellow ha
tears in his eyes. Never thought L
be so low in the scales that the feel
ing of an old servant would touch m
so. l wonder if my beloved cousi
realizes what she has taken from me-
More than mere money. Yes, a thou
sand times more. She has taken m
happiness. And Margaret-with a
this I could have married her. Sh
liked me, l feel sure. Her every actio
told ne rs much. Dear girl! how happ
I should be to make her mistress here
Well, there is certainly no use sighin
over the inevitable"