The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-02-27
CHAPTER [.
MARGARET.

sHtI WIG was tNlucntiS Stranger 10 IN
.H'8place and its surroundings. for She oh
ISI served the scenery with curious inter
~ est, and frequently questioned her com
ssiI panlon about the persons and residences
.l,. they passed. The other. who drove tn,
Till handsome bays with an unmStakablt
air Of proprietorship, was i'll old resi-
ssfHdent.
s.9s Size had found her way to this small
,sF but pretcntious town some years before
81 and, building handsome home, had
sif since devoted her energies, supple
gs mented by the magical influence OF
money, to gaining al cntrce into its cy.
fa8 elusive society.
sR' Both were deep III conversations when
aRfa turn in the road brought them face to
Place with young girl riding.
sa Mrs. Downs was III the act of check
ss ing her horses. but the newcomer. as
sf though quite unconscious Of any such
NGs1ntenton, nodded indiffercntlv and
@8rode on.
SI The proud piece" commented the
lady, endeavorinS to hide her
sss chagrin.
Who is She" questioned her com
Apanion, gancing after the rider with
Some curiosity.
AIN Miss Leigh. You remember
N,IS pointed her home out Il few moments
Aif ago"
M 'Ah. Then shes the heiress:"
isR' Yes. an helrncss now. though wear
AH ago she was OOrrr than her own cook.
sa never could tolerate her, but I man
ilN age TO keep up ii show o. friendship
.ssss She u he one of the leaders of society
I# here when she gets rid Of her mourn
Hing
sl The speaker concluded this remark
#with very visible frown. She was
Ss foreibiy reminded Of her own doubtful
IMPOSITION and her inability to disregard
H# any person or thing that could con-
sHs tribute ia her social advancement.
lA Annexation WAS ind'cl Il burning
sM question with her and while she found
/ her dollars an important ally. her lack
ls OF & preseutause grandfather WAS decid-
IpH edly drawback in the furthrrancc OF
|@ her ambitious aspirations.
| 4 graceful rider and quite a pretty
,M giTs, remarked her companion. break
ls8 ing III upon these unpleasant rctcc-
448 TONS. Where did she get her money!"
lS#' from h"r uncle. The ease is alto
N getrtr peculiar. 1t seems that her
G# father was dis!nheritcd for marvin!
@N conEr&rT To- his fathers wishes, and her
~ unG,e, being the Only othnr child, came
E8In Tor al the property 4 fortunate
M thing for him u, yen say. though, an
IA paTently. he had some s,rupes aboll:
M enjoying h;- good fortune, for his father
iS was scarcely buried before h. began 10
II search for his brother.
INV Yes, he found him dying. believe. in
III some obscure California town Miss
HI Leigh came to Elmwood That was
five years ago, and now she has inherit.
HI ed al! OF her unclc's money He died
lS last October. and his SOIL"
ab His son! You don't tell m" he has Il
s8 son"
"He certainly has | am not surprised
%ss at your establishment. II seems almost
EE impossihI" that father could enrich IL
Esi niece at the expense Of Il son, vet that
III is what Mr. Leigh has done
eii The young man gets something. of
81 course. Two thoueanca year. | believe.
81 A small sum in comparison with III"
HI whole
Nib A very unusual case. Perhaps he
l intends the young people to marry.
ILL., feyn&ps. but as they have never seen
Il each other, the result is scarcely prob
NJ able. TIE son has been in Europe for
IF the last five years. He was considered
quite wild, | am told, and lie and his
4 father quarreled frequently. No doubt,
that fact had some connection with the
4 terms OF the will but, think there was
II undue influence somewhere
~ Wjth this broad accusation the subject
i was allowed to diop. Meanwhile the
Il Object OF these remarks was pursuing
/ her way homeward
e, Mrs. Downs companion had called
/ her pretty, but the word scarcely did |
! her Justice.
Eer face, while lacking perfection Of
feature was sinsUlarv winning and at
/ tTaGtiye. Ii the mouth were trihe |
broad, the full red lips with their cx-
preston half plea X, half imperous,
/ made ample cOmp.M sat!on. II the nose |!
dsviatcd from the straight and perfect
line, Ire fault was forgotten in the clear
concur If the beautifully nlolAed brow, !
the liquid depths o. the clear gray eyes.
and The sweet personality bcaming from !
the expressive countenanCe.
H. Absorbed in thought OF an unpleasant |
character, as evidenced BY her very per-
ceptibIe f"oWn, she rodc on quite lost to |
her Surroundings. until her horse, |
through force Of habit, rather than the !
guiding hand Of his; mistress turned !
into a broad clmlincd avenue. and she /
looked up i'll some surprise to find her
sell al home.
' Ten III nutcs later she had Invested |
herself Of her riding habit. and made !
. her way 10 her sittng-room. A bright, |
che0fal apartment whose tasteful fur
nishlHs revealed something of the indi-
yiGua!ty Of its owner.
Il vas sure i should find YOU here
B she said. approaching the old lady es
tab.ished before the glowing fire. and !
iayn. her cool hand AGAINST the warm,
smooth check. I'm afraid | shall have ,
to assert some authority. You should |
be tlioTns this delightful weather,
Miss Hilton |
" u care say should, was the gree
. able reply, but you sra I'm lazy. nv |
i do2r We had a nira nan NiI van