The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-08
ALEXANDRIA. LA. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1897.

whimsical disposition, whlcn took ner
out SO late that she could not get back
at a reasonable time"
"Sh5 is fully excused" rejoined Will
son, meeting her smiling glance. we
got here about ten minutes ago, and
Brian left me to make himself more
| presentable, he said. l was admiring
some Of your curios when you came In.
I knew you at onse. Bertie's descrip-
ton is so. accurate, and I've had the
picture Of you in my mind.
Il think BERTHE is inclined to exagger-
ate sometimes, Doctor. Still I hope you
have not found the original very disap-
pointing"
aQuite the contrary, Mrs. Leigh.
Brian tells me that you have only been
in New York o very short time, so I
suppose you have not had sufficient OPP
portunity to see how great and impor-
tant we are. But you have visited a
great many places Of interest, no doubta'
"Yes, quite a number; though very far
from all, I am sure. OF course it is q
great city, and no doubt a delightful
one, and / am ridiculously unapprecia-
tive; but. indeed, I like some less pre-
tentious places better. It is all noise
and uproar to me. Do l quite shock
you? I'm incurably devoted to country
life, you see. I cannot enjoy any other.
l hate any other. There, that's dread
fully childish"
He regarded her face with an intent,
rather puzzled, glance. ;.
yet you have established yourself
very delightfully."-" he said, as if an
swering an argument in his own mind.
Il fancy you must intend a long stay
Yes, it may be. That is, I don't
know. 1 hope 1t depends on cir
cumstauces, I think"
She spoke rather disconnectedly, and,
anxious to divert any impression her
words might make upon him she hast
ened to add:
Don't misunderstood me, please. l
don't wish you to think I actually dis
like the city. I find it interesting in
t many ways, but I have not that fasci-
7 nation which some people feel for 1t.
l was born in the country, and all my
associations hold the memory of green
fields and bright skies. I think that
must account for my tastes. I know
, that brick walls and paved streets tire
t my eyes, and l feel q longing to rest
them on something that is not here.
Sometimes I am almost determined to
go to Elmwood just for a day. 1t isn't
far from here, you know; but then l re-
e member that I should have to leave after
the day was over, and that would be
;, hard. So I think T must always put
that thought aside. Brian Is so differ
ent in his tastes; he likes this busy life,
He finds the country dull and lonely, and
g Elmwood has not the same attraction
for him that 1t has for me. He simply
endures it, but well, I could live
there forever, because it is home and
t I love it."
y The last words were spoken IN lower
d Tone but Wilson understood the mean
10 ing they held, and his next ramark was
Ir in a more feeling vein.
,r "We will have to teach you to low
ID New York for something more than it
paved streets and brick walls. w
N Gothamites are very proud. We thin
J. that oil things good and delightful are t
l. be found in this great noisy city 9
lg ours"
ID Margaret smiled. you have man
desirable advantages, that Is certain
I'd but while you are proud Of your wealt
Id you should not forget your poverty"
., True. And we have enough OF i
to The condition of the poor in this city
'ir miserable In the extreme, and perhaps
v, what is more incredible, the most oppt
n site conditions Of prosperity and wal
wv exist in such close proximity. I We
most forcibly impressed with this fact
IS. few days ago. I was passing along or
if of the streets just off from Fifth av'
nue.. There were elegant mansions a
X around me, and handsomely dresse
he children playing under the eyes
re watchful nurses. Yet a little further {
I passed into a scene so different that
at could scarcely credit the testimony
'se my: eyes. Within an actual stone
TX throw Of splendor and prosperity, po
ar- erty, misery, and sin we're running rio
lr. 1t is terrible to think of it. A physicis
18th whose practice lies amid such scenes
en- obliged to see 80 much Of the hear
cir aches OF life."
ers Il suppose So" returned Margart
to with sigh. asuch an experien
do wouldn't do for me at all; SO mu
wealth on one side and SO much wa
ret on the other would make me lose I
uld faith in God. 1t is dreadful to say 1t
ar know T have taken myself to task
justice cannot be reconciled. There
rly some wise decree, no doubt, in WI
Ing seems so unwise, but Tell n
be- Don't you ever feel like taking the wol
to pieces and making it over again?"
He smiled, amused at the questi
to and the expression which accomp
&C. MED it.
low Il have often thought 1t might
her changed to advantage, but I do not kn
not that [ could manage it successfully"
TTo BE CONTINUED.