The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-05-15
CHAPTER ".

toward the close Of May that Brian APP
nroaehed Elmwood. A telegram, sent
from New York the day before, had an
nounced his coming, and, on alighting
from the train, he found the carriage
awaiting him, and the old coachman he
remembered SO we'll beaming smiling
welcome.
Five years had wrought very percept-
ible changes in the aspect OF the coun-
try. The small town lying within the
shelter OF the valley, true to Its ola
progressive spirit, revealed wonderful
DEVELOPMENTS. New and imposing resi-
dences were to be seen on all sides.
Busy activity was everywhere visible,
and Brian began to imagine himself
modern Rip Van Wrinkle, returning to
his home after long absence.
His home? Alas this was his home
no longer. For the first time perhaps
tho full force of this idea struck him.
From the carriage window he caught
distant glimpses Of Elmwood, the state
" old house browning the brow OF the
hill like a sentinel guarding the village
below, its terraced gardens sloplng to
the narrow river winding like silver
thread between it's green banks, and
the splendid old forest trees clothed III
the tender foliage Of May.
He sighed as he turned from the pic
ture. He had never been particularly
fond OF Elmwood in the old days, the
country under no circumstance onerln3
Inducements that he found alluring, but
now all was changed The home ne had
looked upon as his had passed into the
hands of another, and the knowledge
raised new longings and new desires IN
his heart.
fhn U
had taken his inheritance from him, but
his Imagination could grasp nothing
definite. He wondered If she We're tall
or short, dark or light, cold or affable,
and then he fell to framing face in his
mind; and as the intangible shadow
assumed clearer shape it unconscious
ly took on the form and features OF the
Margaret he had left ia the fishing town
on Nantucket.
Bother It'll" he cried, gnawing his
mustache with fierceness that argued
inward disturbance. The want OF
money Is the greatest bore under the
sun. Margaret was such a dear girl.
This thought came as natural Sc
ouence to the other, and he smiled at
the possibilities it suggested.
Poor Brian had his faults; among
them an overweening love for his own
comfort. and an intense dislike for what
ever could cause him the least incon-
yenience. His love for money was rela-
tive. not abstract. Money could buy
pleasure and luxury, therefore he de-
sired its possession.
He had no ambition for the fame te
be won by his own endeavor NO ae'
sire to take his place in the WORKING
world and win his way in the struggle
Oy-ix on
chin those prolific mothers of greatness
were wanting in his life, and the actlv
itv and industry which Margaret ad
mired were to him laborious e1or
that no after greatness could compeh
safe. His education was in part re
snonsible for these ideas. Selfish ant
indolent by nature, he had early beel
deprived of his mother. and in her per
son. of the careful training and Judlclou
dicipline which might have weakened,
not wholly eradicated, these traits
His father was lily fitted for the guard
ienship of a quick, impulsive boy, an
the iniudicious Indulgence OF an oil
nurse strengthened the already stron
charaeteristics. When, as frequentl
bappened. Brian grew unmanageaole
his father was appealed to, and his Sc
verify on such occasions had far fror
the desired effect
Snch a course Of training had prac
tical effect on Brian's after life. Whe
he left college, he studied medicine, i
accordance with his father wishes, an
during the progress of his studies, pre-
ceeded to SOW his wild oats with sue
unusual vim that frequent quarrels Dc
tween himself and father became IN
rule.
These terminated in enc more bite
than all the rest, which resulted
Brian's departing for Europe, and n
father threatening to discontinue ms a
lowance. A very direful threat, Uni
ended, as Brian expected, In no'hh
more than words.
Rrian had been travelling sever
months when Margarets father died al
she took up her residence at Elnl"oo
Once there. she soon won her way
her uncle's heart, and the old gentlemi
formed the project of a marriage b
tween her and his son: He died witho
realizing his hope, and for reaso
which he did not disclose, he lett all 4
nroperty to Margaret, and cut Brian
with an income of $4,000. Now, ait
five wears absence, the disinherited 81
was experiencing the novel sensation
entering his old home visitor.
The friendly, familiar air OF ever
thing about him, made his sense OF 10
more keen; and when old st phens, W
had known him as boy, met MIN az
door with eyes suspiciously moist, a
n face full of emotion, he found INNS
so overcome that he could do no'hi
more than grasp the toil-worn hana
the faithful old servant, ana snake
with impulsive affection.
Poor stephens, he said TO hlmse
when left alone to his reflections.
sirmly believe The faithful fellow .
taars in his eyes. Never thought.
he so low in the scales that the fe
ING of an old servant would toucn
60. / wonder if my beloved cou
realizes what she has taken from y
More than mere money. Yes, tn'
sand times more. She has taken
banniness. And Margaret-with
this / could have married her.
lised me, feel sure. Her every act
told me az much. Dear girl! how hal
7 should be to make her mistress ne
We'll. there is certainly no use elgn
over the inevitable.
yhis was . Philosophical soacssss