The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-15

she passed her thoughtless, unthinkiny
Gays IN the safety of her own home, he
was following path OF ruin amid the
| guided temptations of New York;. How
much OF the blame would lie at her door,
and what would be the end? All. those
bitter questions, with Their more bitter
| possibilities!
Before her mind rose the memory Of
solemn moment and the never-fOrsot-
ten words:
Don't forget Brian. BE good to him
for my sake"
Did she need such memories to make
| her realize that now as never before
his future, his destiny rested in her
hands? She could not sit here and wait
quietly for Alice nor could she be found
here by either BERTHE or the Colonel.
She must leave the house unobseryed if
possible.
Alas! it was not possible. Scarcely
had she reached the hall than BERTHE,
leaving the library at the same moment,
came suddenly upon her.
Margaret" he said, starting at sight
of her. you here? I did not know.
You are in trouble. You are i'll. Tell me-"
Heart sick, Berthe, only heart sick"
she returned, with d halr-sobbing
breath, while she caught at the door
for support Il came TO see Alice. She
is out; cannot wait longer"
You have been waiting then," he
questioned, quite bewildcred by her
strange manner. Margaret" he add
cd, with sudden revation, you heard"
Yes, she answered, lowering her
eyes before his plying glance. Il was
in there and heard all. | did not know
before
Poor child" he said, with unusual
gentlcncss. If Brian could only see
you now 1 wish l could have told you
less abruptly. 1t was cruel Father
will be so sorry. Let me bring him
here. He might comfort you, Mar
garet."
Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned
rather heavily against the stairway.
NO, BERTHE, no one can do that. 1t is
impossible, impossible. ] think his
sympathy would be very hard to bear
now. Don't pity me. Advise me. 1
feel so helpless. Have you known-long?
Why has God sent me this - this
troublo?"
1t was hard for Bertie to meet this
inquiry calmly.
Not for any desert of yours" he
said, rather huskily. You ask me if l
have known long. I'm afraid l must
say yes. The first time I saw Brian
not himsclf-I am hurting YOU"
mo. Go on, please. Tell me all. It
can make very little difference now"
Il was surprised and shocked. I
thought of you and l talked to Bria,.
He promised to do better. I believe be
intended to, and think he tried, but
his resolutions are weak and easily
broken Do you remember the day I
met you in the road and you remarked
upon my long face? 1t was the day
before Brian left on this last visit. 1
dreaded the result for him, and deter
mined to tell you all and let your per-
suasions influence him. But, Margaret,
when saw your face my heart failed
me, and / allowed the opportunity to
slip. Yet you can remember how ear
nest was III begging you to use your
influence to keep Brian at homo. Here
the temptation see rs to have no power
over him. 1 think your presence must
he the cause. Unfortunately, though,
he loves the allurcments Of city life.
And you are not there.
No, but shall be-" returned Mar
garet, lifting her grateful eyes to his.
THANK you for showing me the way"
1T is 50 little to thank ne for, he
returned, sadly. Il wish | could do a
thousand times moro for you. If Brian
is not content to stay with You at Elm
wooc, the next best thing is for you to
be with him in New York. It will be a
gain for him, but leaving your home
will he q heavy sacrifice for you. DO
you fell called upon to make it,"
He looked kindly in her face, but he
! found no hesitation there.
"A hundred times, il necessary" she
Responded. Il hal not thought Of til at
part, and I cannot speak Of it yet. Will
YOU sec that John brings my horse? And
remember me to Alice and yo,H father,
please
Keep Up brave heart he said as
helped her Oh her horse few moments
later, "and don't forget NE il you need
a friend, though heaven grant yoa never
may"
Margaret nodded. She could not
speak, and pressing her hand with SYM
pathetic warmth, Berthe watched her
ride away, and then went in to recount
TO his father all that had passed between
them.
This served to increase the I'd gentle
mans Indignation at what re called
Drian's dcspicable conduct.
While BERTHE talked he paced the
ROOM alternately praising Margaret,
whom he loved like q daughter, and con-
dcmnlns Brian, who, in his estimation,
had been false alike to the highest prin-
ciple of manhood and to the honor and
respect due to his wife.
ITO BE CONTINUED.
-
Imitation Mountain.
Jus now. at the Office of the Geo