The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-05
CHATTER discontinued,

We Will not dispute the point. ! bt
neVe you love me in your way, not
very unselfish or disinterested wa,
You found me there in S'conset. III
place was dull and lonely to you. Fe
some unexplained reason you enioye
my society. You thought it an excellen
opportunity to try your arts of fascina
tlon on girl who, so far as you knew
would place implicit trust In your hon
esty OF purpose. Please let me fnisl
am speaking truth, nothing more. Tn
pastlme amused you and gratified you
vanity at the same time. You kne,
that she IN ght learn to like you. Their
was no reason why she might not civ
her heart and her future happiness il
your keeping. You realized this. We
you staid on, sill knowing you had n
intention OF marrying her. And whel
you had trel OF the diverse on, you in
suited her with declaration Of Low
ana no proposal OF marriage. 70,
allowed sordid motive to cheat you
heart OF its noblest instincts. You
On, wonder can say so much! Their,
are times when positively despise you
and Others when-I believe l am los
ing my self-respect. l wish you has
never gone to S'conset."
SAAO oooi Oou lIolil HeT CHAIR ana walked
10 the opposite window Her hand:
trembled nervUusly, though her word:
had not been uttered with passion, but
with SLOW, deliberate emphasis that
gave them accusing force.
Brian had listened with bowed heal
only once he had tried to interrupt her,
then she had silenced him with mo
Ulon. Even after she hal paused he
did not speak for some seconds.
You are hard upon me, he said, at
last. L acted cCntemptibiy, but won t
you try to think there was some little
excuse! 1 don't know why I am surh a
worthless fellow. Perhaps because no
one cares whether | ever amount 10
anything or not. l have not been SO
fortunate as you. You have been loyed
and praised all your life. I have hal
encouragement and condemnation on
all sides. Perhaps / deserved so much,
but it disheartens a man to be forever
running him down"
Her face softened as she ans we're In
gentler tone: They are wrong 10 dis
courage and condemn you. No one
Knows their possibilities for good or
evil until they have been tried. There
are redeeming traits even in the worst.
chance is before you. / want to forget
all that has happened. For your axe.
and for m ne, Il wish to feel" She
hesitated and her face grew crimson.
Not SO much from his glance as from
the drift OF her own thoughts.
Why won't you understand" she
cried, in helpless embarrassment. after.
a silence that was almost felt. "Why
can't you comprehend that | want you
10 have what belongs to you?"
Il don't want it," answered Brian.
with logged resistance The thought
OF that money is always between us.
You don't want it because YOU can't
have it without IN incumbrance, sup
poser"
III the incumbranee means you, Mar
garet. there is nothing desire so much
as the nclmbrance.
Then take it, please, Brian. The in
cumbrance finds you 50 slow Of conrre-
hension.
Brian was slow no longer. Margaret
flashed upon him, and with a
JOYFUL face and glad cry he started to-
ward her.
But she stopped him rather precipi- !
lately with the words:
Don't be foolish, Brian, please. I |
want you to understand that this is |
merely a business arrangement. We |
'han't be very affectionate, but neither
need we quarrel.
Then you wish simply to satisfy your
sense of obligation, he said, rather rue
ully. You don't care for me the least
Dit, Margaret"
III caring for you means giving you my
leart, can only say haven't lit to give.
think you need not complain. Mar
iage will not make a great difference in
'ur love. We shall always be good
riends, hope. Are you satisfied"
Il am happy to get you on any terms"
70 responded. For no other man can
yer claim you. And maybe some day
ou will learn to love me, If only a
Ittle."
Don't de,ude yourself with any such
lea. That is all, believe. Please /
cave me now. ,
How cod and inl fferent you are" ,
Q said, turning to obey her request.
You make it very hard for me-"
Her eyes dropped beneath the inten-
lty of his gaze, but she made no re- !
lark, and the next second he had left !
CT 10 her own thoughts,
In a sons what jublant but rather Pc :
altar frame OF mind he sought Miss !
ittol, and confded TO her sympathetic .
ar his late go d fortune. :
Two hours later, as Marg Iret sat !,
one in one corner of the veranda, /
rian stole up behind lie, chair, and /
'opped in her lap a ring of old-fashioned >
asign and xquisite Workmanship. i
Here is something prize very high n
(" he said. 1T belonged 40 my mother.
should like to see it on Your ii ger. a
sarls for the pearl of pearls,' 9
His sudden appearance and unex- y
cited action made her blush warmly "
q Put it on for me, she replied, rather N
rvously, and holding her hand toward n
N. i am not sure that Know the h
oper finger.
: 4. sad confession" he REQ ned, ex- A
keen thrill Of p.essure as II
J hand touched hers. Why, it fits q
ceiy and makes quite q show" Il
1t is very beautiful, added Margaret, "
aiming. the magnificent pearls with 81
teal interest. How ca / THANK you ~
its' al
She raised her eyes TO HE, but dropped m
IN immed ately. Something III his OF
nee sent the warm blood to her lace. Ok
tkinS must show It to Miss Hilton
, said, starting up and leaving him OF
host smother woS6 "