The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-01
CHAPTER X-COntinucd.

10 bed, but changing her dress to
light wrapper she ran to Miss Hilton
apartment.
fare you asleep" she called, softly
Being answered in the negative, sh
opened the door and entered.
'sDear Miss Hilton" she cried, goin.
tothe side Of the bed and placing he
hand with caressing gentlennss on tn,
hot, throbbing brow. "Are you better
You should have let me stay with you.
mo, dear, I'm glad 1 didn't. I rcall,
feel much better. Your bathing had =;
magical eff ct. l have been asleep eve
30 ons, and I feel wakeful now. Die
you have pleasant EVENING""
1Yes, so pleasant. The Colonel was
really quite charming. I forget to fee
unhappy even moment.
Il hope you will always know such
forgetfulness, Margaret You have sc
much to make you happy, so many who
love you dearly. My brave little woman
must not give way to this dependency.
Sit here for while, If you are not toe
tired and we will talk. Was Alice quite
vell?'
Yes, perfectly. And so happy, Miss
Hilton.
The note of pain in the low-spoken
words filled Miss Hilton with vague
sadness, but she answered very quietly:
Naturally she would be happy. I
I should BIO sorry to see her otherwise.
Margaret, child, are you doing quite
rght?'
There was moments silence after
! this abrupt question. Margaret buried
her face in her hands, while hundred
doubts and questions rushed through
her mind. Then, looking up with new
determination upon her face, she said
with decision
Yes, Miss Hilton. I have gone over
that old catechism with myself so many,
many times. The trouble lies with nv
views Of life. guess started out with
ideas Of ideal love. I have found real
ity, and it is disappointing. l have
such capacity for happiness, or pain,
that | almost brighten myself. All these
forces are acting within me now"
4, Miss Hilton sighed. Il am sorry 60
hear you talk so, she said. II want to
leave you happy and contented."
Leave me?" repeated Margaret, look
ing up in panied surprise. You cannot,
mean that
yes, dearest, I do. I thought you
might understand it. I've been think
ing OF it lying here, and I intended tell
ng you Tomorrow; but it's just as we'll
tonight"
Margaret allowed her hand to rest on
MISS Hllton's brow with new gentle
hess in it's touch.
only duty takes me from you," con-
hnued the old lady, with much feeling.
In leaving you, feel that am part
nS from daughter: but my sister is in
great trouble over the recent death of
per husband, and in her af1liction NV
place is by her side. l am sure you un-
oerStand this, Margaret. Dear child.
my heart will always be with YOU, and
you will not need me when Won are
married
u \ think shall always need you, Miss
alfon,' returned Margaret, with an |
EFFORT to speak bravely; but, of course
1.-Two, would not be the one to keep YOU
x s duty calls you. All, how / hate
uu y. 1T IS SO hard-so cruelty hard"
with these passionate words, Mar
s 81 buried her face in the pillow. and
Mss Hilton, drawing the brown head
,as beside her, st okcd it with an
uanaLltely tender caress.
has duty been SO hard for you2n she
asked, gently. '''0
~ l nave no right to complain" was
ue ,self.reproachful answer; mo RIGHT
~ ~ al. | am low-spirted and nervous
w., %,nasa'' and the thought of your leav-
W. ule MAKES me feel that | am really
~ sal h stuiS giving up my old life, and it is
,,, lam sorry you feel such regret, Mar
s sous l wish l might lay it solely to
iosa 10" spirits, but l fear there IS a.
s msl reas N than that. I wish I could
l lIAe you see your new life in it's true
49, anu teach you that, with all it's
S SaIsu q duties and responsibilities, it
N IvitS me sweet hopes and tender posi-
w n,.ass which complete and crown q
d ssnaa life. You understand me. ,
s,,t U.s. ! am so anxious to learn, Miss {
I risb !, w ,1 YOU are here to help me- '
,',i a,sa dld not grow so attached to old ;
ava 40, ana ola customs. wish I could {
sba Is s SOU. and hate in proportion. I q
se,s ~ luxe IKE 10 change my nature, if that '
Fsns possible. l want to do better: 7 G
am W W nelp myself and help Brian, and +
CT CT. 20 weak, Miss Hilton" i
sye W. pulsed, with half sigh. il
NJ ' tho desire will make you strong
,sve ao quiet reply. Il don't think you I
May Weak will, Margaret. b
rjls ia sat ct caught tie suspicion of a. a
sr turn QUE .t answered, half-smiling in S
III M u' out it is very unreasonable h
rbat hos Hilton. Always wanting to a
Las 1t shouldn't. | find it yery !
d yn us =" J. You see, have depended
onfort 60 long, have found so much 9:
'st I sh ~ your sympathy and advice, e.
.aIizs S'la All miss you more than I can
,t Saw o nut am paining you. 1 will NJ
~ thint "uy more. would not have
sire bs,o ,Il'1 am placing my selfish W
ight ha . .o your manifest duty. &C
ste Of ~ NE ,;empted to do so in my present &C
i v vl mind a' SO had better 60 to bed. le
you5 IT, mere is rot ling can do til
Miss Hi ~ Will be real pleasure"