The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-04-24
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CHAPTER "
, CONGRATULATIONS.

y .,,s crFHRs coN''A' VhS' ''s'
II GU old fellow! have you quite
W H. W, your friends, or are your
vi teA . 'occupied with the fair Mar
q ats i've sniticaat mcn Ike me can
'Aas . .r into the inner rccc&sCs
& nj uajnd::' ..,,. "a +no 1;,,1crv with
y lsa w." rrocrfuliy elevated, ani his
n deep in thonshs, 9n na+ the ,n ,n1oy y
sn with tais greeting: ,..,., -.
1. \ Iir ls, to his feet AZ me Souna OF
II iu4 remembered voice, ana making
!. ss y for Bcrtie's hand, w:unS it ior
|, 81 s,ss I in silence.
S y ;s rally YOU, he said, when he
e ~. voice. "De:'are. | wouldn !
y l ao YOU. Take a chair and
/ Yourself a. home Had an idea
turn up , ,4 :, nont;o
W, ,he way, that smile is about worn
w ~ sbonld be relocated to oblivion
,n ~ with the thrcadbare jokes OF
n ~. in law and seryant-sirls. How
a Sr;ne Margaret? You're a lucky
4 odd id fellow. I know but one girl
eDod as Margaret
s.sse smiled knowingly and watched
' smoke curling above his head, in
.'' saeret lust now" he said after q
., But to return to Margaret.
~ a iewel worth the wearing. Things
= nm mrned out fortunately for you, I
/ YOU. | felt mighty sorry for you at
tins. and Margaret seemed all cut
,hn1t it. The loss OF the money
nN have been rather hard on you,
Father" agreed Brian, anxious to
s,ge the subject. You haven't told
rat when you arrived.
yesterday afternoon, my boy. I do
lp1led upon the parental fold at a mo-
mt big with fate, as the poets say.
respected father had offered his
flame. not his hand, to my beloved
brin, and that impulsivc young lady
4 refused it in q few choice but con-
Epeirg words. A pitched battle seemed
IMMINENT, when my presence restored
Face, Whereupon my mild parent fell
ION my ne;k, metaphoricaliy speaking,
Id called for the fatted calf.
That is the history Of my return.
|Gy touching, is it not? Now, I'm
|srs ia hopes that Margaret will invite
BE- to dinner. Think she VIII"
Perhaps returncda laughing voice.
BERTHE turned quickly, to sec Mar
Eaet standing in the door.
Some in," he cried, I've walked two
niles to see you.
And set your dinner" sho added, adj
ianeins into the room and taking tho
hair Brian offered her. THAT admis-
ion Of yours is against you"
And your tongues as sharp as ever.
Wonder If you treat poor Brian to the
nmerciful lectures that used to fall to
ylot Ipity him from my heart. Even
ON he hasnt word to say for himself.
cor fellow"
Hc does look meek, responded Mar
sget, turning to Brian and cndeAyoring
draw him into the conversation. Il
n afraid your sympathy doesn't appeal
him. Unfortunately, pity is cheap
That is why I usually have such 4
pPly on hand. I've always had two
asons for wishing to be Your husband.
ont turn up Your pretty nose, my
ar; it spols your beauty. AS I WAS
marking about my two reasons, one
because I'd always be sure Of a good
nner, and the other because I'd greatly
Joy the pleasure Of tanning such q
rev.
Thanks for your interest, sir. For
VI enlightenment I'll inform you that
is not wise to attempt impossible
KS. have no wish TO play Catherine
your Betruchio. Oh, Miss Hilton, I
$50 glad to see you. Won't you take
part: I'm quite defenseless. Even
ian has sat here quietly and allowed
10 fight my own battles"
That was too bad of Brian. I sup
y he considered you equal to the oc-
i0n.'
Just exactly, Miss Hilton" put in
rae. You know her OF old. I've
lked two miles to congratulate her on
eEtaln coming event, and Instead of
septlns kindly intentions, She"
one thinks I'm the one to be con-
mlated," put in Brian, awaking
. a dream, as it We're, and turning
glance OH Marsaret's Grim
face.
certainly didn't intend to provoke
Nsslon,' she reioincd, slightly an
"a. Miss Hilton brings US tidinss
aaner, and BERTHE, if you are not on
best behavior, you shan't have
am a saint from this moment"
, Dertie, as Margaret lowered her
10 answer some comment of Bril-
wen, BERTHE, how long do you intend
'ay: asked Miss Hilton, as they
~, themselves about the table.
', laughed heartily.
mat depends" he answered. "The
of the pater's temper pre-
, any settled calculation. I hope
~ 90 several weeks, as l don't care
. TO the city during this weather;
v eAere' moro forlorn place than
1ork in summer I'm not anxious
'me across it.
would never suit me, put in Mar
!, believe I should find the very
'es1ones dispiriting.'
IS revelation to 90 through it's
heht districts. I had occasion to
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