The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-08
CHAPTER XII-COntinued,

.,ma 70 Mrs. Ivens, who was very sick.
waiting only for hasty breakfast, and
having Brian's instructions to wraE
Ssrsef warmly, she departed en- he1
GRAND of mercy.
- Through the peaceful quiet of the
Sabbath morning she made her way
over the we'll kept road, until she
coached the rectory, an unpretentious
little house, sitting back in an equally
nnDretentious garden.
/ narrow, beaten pathway led to the
modest entrance, and on either side of
h we're tiny borders of dead flowers,
s,o,ynd whose lifclcss stems the brown
| leaves cluns convusivcly.
/ Nargarcts ring was answered by a
+rpd. looking maid servant, who led the
ray into the poorly furnished little
narIor. While she questioned the girl
Is to her mistress condition Margaret S
ayes travelled wstfully about the room,
whose CHEEKY LONELINESS not even the
Notwithstanding influence Of poverty,
could entirely dispel. Yet there was
something vaguely pathetic in the worn
chairs, the faded, almost threadbare,
carpet; the few Inexpensive ornaments,
and the numerous makeshifts; little
pretensons to comfort and luxury,
which deft fingers had fashioned into
pretty deceptive devices, all presenting
Itbe long and patient labor, thoughtful
love, and tender self-denial, so often
wrought into tho possessions of the
poor
Up stairs in the front room she found
The brave little woman who had SEEM
led so we'll only few days before,
stretched on bod Of weakness, the
busy brain no longer worrying over the
wants of growing family, the tireless
feet resting at last. Near the bed sat
Mr.. lvens, the rector of the most I'M
popular church in s.. lie was man
of many talents and attachments, but
unfortunately for himself he lacked tho
self confidence necessary to meet and
overcome the difficulties of life.
Margaret knew and understood ma
ture so similar. to her fathers. She
discovered the wealth Of learning and
mobility Of soul hidden under an over
mastering dlfidence, and she admired
the qualities which others could not see.
II Now as she saw him, bowed by the
shadow Of a coming great sorrow, hold
Ing the nerveless hand that had smooth
led so many difficulties for him, yet
whose cheerful aid could never more be
ibis, she fal cher heart filled with COM
passie' ords could express.
Is he -" 1S5.p engrossed with his grief
that ha4l rarcely noticed her as she
quietly glided to his place beside the
ped, but Mrs. Ivens had heard the al
most no.seless footsteps and opened
her eyes YEARLY.
An, it is you, Margaret, she said
with momentary flush Of pleasure on
her pale face.
Margaret nodded cheerily, and laid
'her hand, with q soothing tenderness,
|on the hot, throbbing head. Does it
ache much?" she asked.
NO, Margaret, only a little. Will
you tell Mary to get the children ready
lot school? | should DO up to do it my
iS'..I ouU Hhl very tllC
l don't believe you ever admitted as
much before" was Margaret's rather
unsteady answer, Tho children
won't go to school to-day. 1t is Sun,
day.
Sunday, and I lying here! James,
Hhy didn't you tell me? We had so
much to do to-day"
her eyes sought her husbands. but
ne was looking rather wistfully at Mar
garet.
Margaret read the unspoken language
q that glance, and she found 1t very
uncut to answer cheerfully.
I, We are going to let you be lazy to-
gay, Ellen, so that formidable amount
Sl work must wait for another Sunday.
1 intend to assert my authority, and, 10
peslh, Ill sit here while Mr.. Ivens eats
e some breakfast. Mary told me to send
me gentleman took this hint, and, as
poedlent as child, left the room. He
anew that Ellen was safe and happy In
aarGaret's hands, and already he felt
ence.
halfway down the stairs he was met
" apreternaturally grave child Of 8
H.sts, whose wistful eyes gazed sadly
i ua MS. Evidently she had been wait
Jug lor him, for without a word she
s S~le quietly to his side and allowed her
ualu to glide wit h roocour;np cvupo+bv
Unto his.
,,a a. this silent way they reached tho
~ on ~ room, where Mary had breakfast
~ ".e liable, and three tots aged, re-
i sSpe;eaIvely, six, four, and two seated in
- g!.l a,lgh-chairs, waiting for Papa.
4, Lutte wonder that Margaret's mind
G y DC filled with painful thoughts
Isbo, mese babies, as she sat by
E sa mothers bedside, or that her eyes
s sssa SO misty when Ellen expressed
'u vi. gratitude for her attentions.
Il, - you only knew how glad it makes
No. C 90 even little for YOU" she said,
sas 'u d struggle to speak calmly. you
IT, ~ IL IS SO seldom can be useful. that
Ghs sm particularly proud now. If l had
NV m poor, | believe should have taken
sp.HuuFslnS as profession"
N, U.s. but you need not do it now,
l. Lsafet. You don't know what it is
sS, ps poor. 1t is hard for him and the
! . .Is Voice was full of pain.
n nave known" Margaret answered.
h na ~, Known the pain and cruelty OF
~ The nlnr 80 ne