The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-05-01


wise you to return to the village"
Which is polite way OF expressing
your wish to be rid of me; but have no
desire to spend the day in those hen
coops. There's the sun now. Blessed
sight! I'm going to move this shawl up
there where 1t is dryer. May l? 1t is
positively suicidal to sit here. II you
ehould be i'll, I'll have to act as Escu-
lapius, for there isn't a man of pills and
squills in the whole village, I'm told.
So 90 warned in time"
lit will be more prudent, no doubt,
admitted Margaret, allowing him to
move the shawl In question, "but we
can't see the waves so well.
That's no great loss. We know they
are there, which is just as good. Do
you know, I've been thinking Of you all
night. Really, had strange dream
in which you seemed to be leading me,
and some influence compelled me to fol-
low. Don't look, skeptical, please, and
say nonsense. 1t was all very real, l
assure you. One Of those old men
called you Miss Margaret Please tell
me if that is your name? / have quite a
curiosity to know.
"Your curiosity is easily satisfied My
name is Margaret
Thanks. I've always had an odd
fancy for the name. 1t seems to mean
so much. 1t is her name, too. Curious,
isn't it,
Not at ALL responded Margaret
promptly. TT name Is common
enough, l dare say
Perhaps. / like it, nevertheless,
only wish she were like you.
Margaret moved impatiently, end re-
piled with a SUSPICION of petulance:
I'm like myself and no one else.
Variety is the spice of life;' so please
don't compare me with any unknown
she's.
"Oh, this ones tolerable enough, he
rcjoined, "and smart, too, / dare say.
She's managed to feather her nest ut
my expense. Perhaps she's gloating
over me at this very moment.
How can you say that?" asked Mar
garet, with some warmth. You have no
right to judge people that way. She
may hate the very sight OF the money.
Money!" repeated Brian, in some
surprise. Il said nothing about money.
NO. she returned, thoroughly angry
with herself; but am sure money has
something to do with the injury you
speak of / know she isn't so hateful
as you think her. 1t is neither just mol
right to condemn her unheard.
He laughed at her earnestness. !
suppose she isn't O bad sort, he adj
mitted, pulling at some seaweed beside
him. L don't see why you take such
an interest in her, though.
She flushed at these direct words.
Il speak in general terms, she re-
piled, unable to meet his searching
glance. Il simply say you have no right
TO assume certain things, and / wish
you would not run people down in my
presence, especially when don't know
them, and cannot take their part. l hate
it; it is against my principles, and it's
contemplate besides"
She rose to her feet and walked away
In some excitement already regretting
her childish warmth.
Tell me about it," she added, i'm
periously, returning to her old place
what did your cousin do?"
Another mistake. She bit her lips as
the word cousin escaped her, but for
tunately Brian had not noticed 1t.
"Do?" he echoed, still regarding hel
with an amazed expression. She didn't
do anything. Only my father happened
to think SO much of her and 60 little Of
me that he left her fortune and me q
beggarly income to starve on. No use
living without money either. But II
forgive her il she marries me, and
dare say she will
The confidence of this assertion was
too much for Margaret.
Didn't / understand you to say you
had mover met her?" she asked, in Q
voice unnaturally quiet and full of scorn
that made no impression upon him. He
replied in the most imperturbable man
ner.
"No, haven't seen her. that's true
but dare say she'll make good wife,
and"
These words further enraged Mar
garct.
How dare you" she cried, without
giving him a chance to complete his
sentence. al never heard of such un'
paralleled impudence in my life. dare
say you consider your charms so over.
whelming that every woman must bt
overcome by the bare sight Of them. L
were your cousin you would very soor
discover your mistake. A conceited MAI
is the very abomination of desolation.
~You show your contempt very freely,
returned Brian, not ovcrpleased will
her. remarks. If i suggest the idea O
my cousins marrying me it is because
of the circumstances. Father woult
have liked it. I-know. Perhaps he had
the idea In his head when he made hii
will.
Margaret grew paler at these words
but she did not answer.
And don't you know" Brian con-
tinued, with spice OF malice, as he
turned lazlly In his effort 10 see hel
face, "a man can marry any woman he
chooses, provided he goes about it the
right way. No woman can Withstand
constant, enduring affection.
Constant, enduring addlesticks'p was
the eontemptuous reply. No doubt
your knowledge of woman, her nature
and capacities, is deep and profound
but pray spare me your wisdom on the
subject, or may be tempted, Ike Aunt
Sukey, to. jaw back ! dare say your
constant, enduring affection is another
variety u constant hanging on. would
despise a man eternaily around me,
Please don't laugh so loud. I'm moi
trying to be amusing.
No, I'll wager not. Tell me what
eort Of man you do like. An Admirable
Crishton. with every virtue under the
SUM-