The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-07-21
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in that direct On, however: He's 6
friend OF yours, l am sure"
Why are you sure?"
because no one can help being. You
have the faculty of making everybody
love you, and old men are no more proof
against it than young ones. 1t has
proved unfortunate in my case, but he
OF course, is more favored. I'll begin
TO wish myself old presently.
Thou should5t not have been old
before thou hadst been wise!' You
should take that saying to heart AS to
the Colonel, he has won his 'ght to my
respect and esteem. He has been my
most helpful friend in times when most
needed help. He is quick-tempered, to
be sure, and expresses his opinion with
cut scruple, but know him to be up
right, honorable, and true as steel. I'D
trust him forever"
He has stanch champion. wish
you had half as good an opinion of me.
Speaking OF his temper, he and grand
father never agreed"
! should think not, was the warm
reply. A warm-heartod, generous man
like the Colonel could never admire the
hard, cold man your grandfather was.
l wonder he could breathe the same at
mosphcre with him."
He was your grandfather, too, re-
marked Brian, rather meekly.
Il don't care to acknowledge the rela-
tionship. Please don't speak of him. !
commit sin whenever his name is men,
toned, and that necessitates after pen
arce. Talk OF something more agreea-
ble-do."
with all my heart was never in
love with him myself. He was forever
quoting that abominable saying, which
l don't believe was in the Bible, Spare
the rod and spoil the child for my espe-
cial benefit"
swell. dare say he had reason" was
the ready response, accompanied by a
flash OF humor SO like the old Margaret
that he began to imagine himself in
S'conset again. "You haven't like
objection to Colonel Barton, have you?
! Tell me why yol are not favorite with
him."
Il don't know. Perhaps I imagine it..
l dare say he doesn't consider me half
! 50 worthless as you do. Who would be-
lieve that so fair a face could hide so
hard heart?
The tone, as much as his words, vexed
Margaret. Her eyes darkened and her
voice took on sharper information.
"We will discuss neither my face nor
my heart, if you please"
She gave her horse q sharp blow,
which sent him into hard gallop.
Then, with the quick repentance which
always followed such outbursts, she
pulled up quickly and waited for Brian
to Join her. This he did with an air Of
injured dignity.
Don't look so drcadfully doleful, :"
she called out with an attempt at light
ness. Really you give ME the blues.
Are you hungry! Pm perfectly raven
Gus. If we ride little faster we'll be
home in two minutes"
Il don't want to be ONE in two min
ut S. 1 wish this ride would last for
ever. No, Of course you don't; you are
| thinking Of yoar breakfast, but L Oh,
Margaret, I wish you wouldn't trifie
with my dearest feelings"
And Iwish you hadn' such queer way
of coming in with unexpected remarks.
You haven't the least idea Of the fitness
Of things. I'm hungry, and I'm going
home just as fast as this horse will
carry me.
With these somewhat defiant words
; she galloped off, and Brian, to give
more forcible expression to his sense of
/ injury, followed at snaiPs pace.
When he arrived at Elmwood he found
j Margaret Invested of her riding habit
awaiting him in the dining-room. He
pretended not to see the smile with
which she greeted him, and during
breakfast he maintained moody ST.
lence, which awakened in Margaret
half-grave, half-amused interest.
A thorough baby" she commented,
leav ng the table when the meal was
over and going into the garden, APP
parentIy to look at her flowers, in reali-
| ty to be alone with her thoughts.
She walked for an hour in the fresh
fower-scented air, and when she re-
| turned to the house her nervous rest
lessness was so marked that Miss Hill
! ton was both surprised and panied, but
she wisely forbore remark. Even when,
a short time before luncheon, Margaret
| stole up behind her chair, and, placing
her arms about her neck, said, rather
querulously, Il am so tired of the ortho-
dox way of eating, Miss Hilton. Shall
we have our lunch under the trees?" she
contented herself with answering:
DO as you like, my dear. I think it
will be very nice, and appetizing."
and change" added Margaret.
How do wanta change. A horri1 dis
position to have, is it no.? Never to be
satisfied. don t know how you put up
with me, when find it SO difficult to put
up with myself"
sit down, my dear, and will tell
you, was the quiet reply.
Some other time" said Margaret,
quickly. Il hear Cousin Brian. He
would prove an interruption. Besides,
l must see to our picnic, you know"
She was gone when Brian entered the
&c ON second later.
He noted her absence, and his look of
disappointment reflected his feelings.
Il will send him to her presently,
unused the old lady. calling him to sit
beside her.
CHAPTER VII.
STRANGE PROPOSAL
Margaret was standing in veritable