The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-19
aI'd have some say in that" responded

i u nave SOME say Ill tndt, IeSppuucu
Brian, ignoring her closing words.
Walking for the purpose of dropping.
would be very sensible performance,
wouldn't it? wish you wouldn't walk
without me after this"
Margaret elevated her eyebrows
rather expressively. what an unself-
ish man." she returned How many
walks do you think could take under
those circumstances. For the last
month, you've been home only at night,
and not every night by any means. I
have a prejudice in favor of sleeping at
night. think shall still continue to
take my walks alone Your mind is
above such simple delights"
With these words, Margaret bent her
head and watched the pink lines between
her fingers. Brian walked to the otner
side OF the room, and played a tattoo
on the window.
1T is so dull here, P" he remarked, after
q moment OF this performance; "and as
you don't care whether l stay or not, 1
don't see the use of spelling my pleas
ure.
Don't spoil your pleasure for worlds.
/ If taking some interest in your home is
likely to do so, you need only forget you
have a home"
MY home!" he repeated, with Bit
terneSS raised by her half-concealed
sarcasm. when l consider my posi-
ton here, do you think l can call this a
homer"
A change passed over her face, AMI
for moment she could not answer,
though when she did it was in a tone
whose lightness belied any deeper feel
ing.
Il always gave you credit for fair
share of sense, Brian. but now l lind
you sadly wanting. If you think l am
going to humor your bad temper you
a"e mistaken"
Brian was not mollified at these
words.
1T is no use in turning it off that
way, Margaret, he said. Your actions
tell me plainly that you married me be-
cause you felt under obligation to do SO.
You blame the one who marries for
money, but think marrying for pride
is just as bad"
How dare you!" broke in Margaret.
when anger permitted her to speak. L
wonder you have the elfrontery to say
such things to me, and wonder how
can sit here and let you say them. Now,
don't excuse yourself. You are forever
insulting me and then begging my par
don. L m tired of it. Sometimes wish
you would stay in the city. That isl
don't wish anything of the kind. I'm a
goose. Please go and fix yourself for
! dinner. l will soon be ready, and /
hope you don't intend to go to the table
that way"
Brian acted upon this hint to mako
himself more presentable, and during
dinn hn fria 10 lynh iG MI
Margaret In this he was successful,
as usual. for her ill-temper was short
lived. At the same time, he noticed
that she was paler and thinner than she
had been a few weeks before. What
was the cause, and why had he not no.
ticed the change?
Don't you ever grow tired Of Elm
wood?" he asked her, with rather sharp
glance.
~Never!" was the decided answer. Il
love Elmwood too well. 1 believe it
would break my heart to leave it,"
1T is strange" he added with sigh;
"a differ nee in disposition, 1 suppose.
The life which brings you happiness is
all emptiness and disappointment TO me.
The shadow of a seeming reality"
Il think you make it only a shadow,
Brian. 1t could be better, l know. You
have the talents and advantages to make
great man"
I'm theory, Margaret, but not in
practice. My laziness, if you will, is
too thoroughly ingrained for that. You
don't like lazy people, do your"
Indeed 1 don't. 1 wish you'd find
some other role just for novelty"
Thanks; I'm afraid my nature is too
conservative; though / don't know but
what l may try my skill in medicine for
your benefit. l don't like your pale
cheeks and heavy eyes.
That isn't complimentary, laughed
Margaret, avoiding his glance. 4 as
sure you these signs of decline may be
attributed to nothing more alarming
than consumption of midnight oil over
the latest of Ouida's novels. You see
am learning bad habits in my old age"
Brian was not satisfied with this ex-
PLANTATION, but he did not pursue the
subject further then.
ITO BE Continued