The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-07-21

to do with misery? Are you always
happy? Do you never know tho mean
ing Of regret"
Il wish you'd be more careful" she
sail with assumed anger. "You are
sitting on the en- / Of the table cloth, and
l shouldn't be surprised to see every
dish in your lap rext. Iwcnder why
men are 50 awkward"
And, I wonder why you arc so heart
less. Your mind is taken up with table
cloths, while h Oh, Margaret, how
you hurt mel
Annoyed at the drift of the eonversa-
ton, Margaret made no pretcnse Of On.
swering, but kept her eyes fixed upon
the house in the hope of Miss Hilton s
appearance. Noting her Indifference,
Brian continued in the same passionate
strain.
why ale you so bitter and scornful?
Why do you delight in torturing me2
Have you no hearth You can not real
ize my longing, and you will never SYM
spurned and despised. I have some
pride, and I'll not stay another night
under your roof. I'll go this afternoon;
lnen you ii De TlQ OF me.
and if l don't wish to be rid Of you
SO soon?" she questioned with an effort.
You told me you would stay until to-
morrow, and hope you will keep your
word. Besides, wish" She hest
tated. I wish to talk with you, she
concluded with another effort. Il shall
be in the library at 3, or half past. viii
you come to me there?"
He looked at her in some surprise,
but her eyes were turned aside and she
was busying herself with some arrange
ment about the table.
Your request is law to me-" he an
swered in low voice. Il am always
happy to do something for YOU"
And l am always ready to appreciate
your effort, was the quick reply.
She turned away with a sigh of re-
lief. Miss Hilton hsd just left the
house, and was approaching tt'-':,,
there was no further excuse for tete-
a-tete.
At 8 o'clock the same afternoon Brian
entered the library to find Margaret
seated at table drawn close 10 an open
window.
From her position she could see the
wealth and beauty of Elmwood, spread
like a map before her Its acres of
woodland, timbered by magnificent
trees; it's broad extent of orchard,
clothed in a wilderness of bloom, and
its terraced garden sloping to the river,
winding among the uplands, and reflect
ing sparkling vistas from a chain Of
beautiful hills.
Further away lay broad sweep OF
undulating land, with the village in the
foreground, and beyond many neat
cottage, smart in its coat of paint, or
pretent:ous mansion, browning con-
venient eminence. Further still, the
smoke curling from the quiet farms ly-
ing under the enchantment that distance
lends.
From this picture Margaret turned
with sigh, to encounter Brian's inquir-
ing glance.
"You are punctual," she said, with a,
half smile. will you set down, please?"
He took possession of the chair indi-
Gated, noting meanwhile that her face
was unusually pale and her voice I'M
naturally quiet. Wondering, yet expoo-
tant, he waited for her next words.
you intend leaving Elmwood to-mor-
row." she resumed, after u pause that
had been embarrassing to both.
Yes" was the answer, given with
some warmth. Il do not wish to intrude
upon you longer. Icannot stay on from
day to day, making myself more unwel-
come and mourning only your con .empt.
My sin is past atonement in your eyes.
l can offer no excuse that will satisfy
you. l have no hope left, and to-mor-
row when leave
Where will you go'" she broke in,
with reprcssed earnestness upon her
face.
"Where?" he repeated. Heaven only
knows. To the devil, probably"
She laid down The paper knife she had
been handling half absently, and re-
garded him tixcdly.
Il hope you will do nothing so fool
ish," she said in low voice. 1T is not
manly to give up in that way. I have
not called you in here to quarrel with
you, nor do I want to rake up old
t. oubles; but do want you to under
stand that, while I acknowledge GER
tain deception on my part in concealinS
my name from you, do not hold you
excused thereby. l had a reason for
doing so, very wise reason, as things
have since turned out. Had you known
was your cousin instead
Il could not have loved you better"
he broke in with impulsive earnestness.
You must do me that much justice"
ITO BE CONTINUED.