The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-12

CHAPTER X.

forgotten your friends, or are your
thoughts so occupied with the fair Mar
garet that ms gnificant men like me can
gain no entrance into the inner recesses
of your mind?"
Brian was sitting in the library, with
his feet gracefully elevated, and his
mind deep in thought, and the enjoy
ment of a cigar, when BERTHE burst in
upon him with this greeting.
He jumped to his feet at the sound Of
the weil-remembered voice, and making
q grab for Bertie's hand, wrung it for
some seconds in silence.
SO it is really you. he said, when he
found his voice Declare! 1 wouldn t
have known you.- Take chair and
make yourself at home. Had an idea
you'd turn up"
Like bad penny" put in BERTHE.
by the way, that smile is about worn
out. 1t should be relegated to oblivion
in company with the threadbare jokes of
mothers law and servant-girls. How s
the divine Margaret? You're lucky
devil, Old fellow. l know but one girl
as good as Margaret"
And who is she?"
BERTHE smiled knowingly and watched
the smoke curling above his head, in
medtative silence.
"A secret just now" he said after q
pause. But to return to Margaret.
She's jewel worth the wearing. Things
have turned out fortunately for you, 1
tell you. l felt mighty sorry for you at
one time. and Margaret seemed all cut
up about it. The loss Of the money
would have been rather hard on you,
eh?"
Rather" agreed Brian, anxious to
change the subject. You haven't told
me yet when you arrived.
Yesterday afternoon, my boy. de-
scended upon the parental fold at mo-
ment big with fate, as the poets say.
My respected father had offered his
fortune, not his hand, to my beloved
cousin, and that impulsive young lady
had refused it IN few choice but con-
vincing words. Apitched battle seemed
imminent, when my presence restored
peace. Whereupon my mild parent fell
upon my ne TX, metaphorically speaking,
and called for the fatted calf.
THAT is the history of my return.
Very touching, is it not? Now, I'm
here in hopes that Margaret will invite
me to dinner. Think she will?"
Perhaps" returned a laughing voice.
BERTHE turned quickly, to see Mar
garet standing in the door.
Come in, he cried, I've walked two
miles to see you
And get your dinner" she added, adj
vancing into the room and taking the
chair Brian offered her. That adm.s-
sion of yours is againstyo
And your tongues as sharp as ever.
wonder if you treat poor Brian to the
unmerciful lectures that used to fall to
my lot. 1 pity him from my heart. Even
now he hasn't word to say for himself.
p Poor fellow"
HE does look meek, responded Mar
: garet, turning to Brian and endeavoring
to draw him into the conversation. Il
am afraid your sympathy doesn't appeal
TO him. Unfortunately, pity is cheap.
THAT is why l usually have such a
supply on hand. I've always had two
reasons for wishing to be your husband.
Don't turn up yo1r pretty nose, my
dear; it spoils your beauty. AS l Was
remarking about my two reasons, one
is because I'd always be sure OF good
dinner, and the other because I'd greatly
enjoy the pleasure OF tanning such a
6hrew."
Thanks for your interest, sir. For
your enlightenment I'll inform you that
it is not wise to attempt impossible
tasks. / have no wish to play Catherine
to your Betruchio. Oh, Miss Hilton,
am so glad to see you. Won't you take
my part? I'm quite defenseless. Even
Brian has sat here quietly and allowed
me to fight my own battles.
THAT was too bad of Brian. l sup
pose he considered you equal to the oc-
casion.
Just exactly, Miss Hilton" put in
Berthe. you know her OF old. I've
walked two miles to congratulate her on
certain coming event, and instead of
accepting kindly intentions, She
She thinks I'm the one to be con-
gratulated," put in Brian, awaking
from dream, as it were, and turning
an inqu;ring glance on Margaret's cr;m-
son face.
Il certainly didn't intend to provoke
discussion, she rejoined slightly an
moved. Miss Hilton brings us tidings
of dinner, aud BERTHE, if you are not on
your best behavior, you shan't have
any i,
Il am a saint from this moment, !"
said Berthe, as Margaret lowered her
head to answer some comment OF Bril-
ans.
well, BERTHE, how long do you intend
to stayi" asked Miss Hilton, as they
placed themselves about the table.
He laughed heartily .
THAT depends" he answered. Inc
uncertainty of the pater's temper pre-
vents any settled calculation. l hope
IL NAV be several weeks, as l don care
to return to the city during this weather.;
for if there's more forlorn place than
New York in summer I'm not anxious
to come across it. ~
1T would never suit me, put In Mar
paret. Il believe l should find the very
cobblestones dispiriting.
1T is a revelation to go through lts
tenement districts. I>had occasion to
do so the other day. and it seemed to
me humanity literally swarmed around
me. How can people. raised under such
conditions, have the instincts OF human
beings.
~Yet we are rich and prosperous
people. Our treasury overflows with its
surplus. and thousands of human be-
ings are starving. BY what law OF JUS
tice do you reconcile that?"
sMy dear Margaret, your question
suuvests d subject FOR tarin debate,
AK tho Colonel 70 discuss It WITH you.
'you speak too lightly. Brian, xn"w