The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-06-30
HW0kA/A||N!5| MIL UENCE

up so ferociously."
Margaret colored and desisted from
her occupation.
Il beg you PARDON" she said Il did
not intend to send it in your direction.
1t is vent for my overcharged feelings.
l suppose that is childish acknowledge
ment, but [ shall not recall it, read Of
a piece of injustice this morning, and it
has filled me with indignation. be
licve I'm in a constant state Of rebellion
ayainst the accepted order OF things
Why do you laugh?"
Not at you, certainly. Seriously, l
am half afraid of you-your bad opinion,
l mean. What influence you could exert
over some men. Do you like me, Mar
garrett"
The name slipped unconsciously from
his lips, and he drew nearer to her. She
| averted her head and answered in the
tone of one measuring her words care
fully.
THE degree Of my liking depends
upon yourself"
Brian was evidently not we'll satisfied
with this frank admission.
You couldn't like me we'll enough to
be my 'wife?" he persisted, drawing more
closely to her and endeavoring to take
her hand, an action she resolutely op-
posed.
DO you mean what you say?" she
said, in slightly repressed voice, con-
sclous OF something wanting in his man.
ner.
He hesitated at her words.
DO l mean that I love you? Yes,
Margaret, do, from the first moment I
saw you. If I could only make you
understand my position, my longing to
win your love and make you my wife.
| But"
His pause was eloquent
But WHAT" she repeated, in q quick,
changed voice.
garrett"
| At this complaint she turned her face
aside and allowed her eye to follow the
motion Of bird.
the absence of those searching gray
eyes, marriage between us is quite out
OF the question. If you were"
If l were rich, I suppose, you mean,
she interrupted, in somewhat hard
voice; but, admitting I'm poor, what
them"
you must see how it is; we couldn't
live on two thousand year"
And your profession" she supple
mented. 1T seems to me you might be
much worse off. Any one with an econ
omical turn"
81 hate people with an economical
turn, and don't intend to work myself
to death trying to cure lot of migrate
full people. My first years allowance
won't much more than pay my debts. l
must have. money. A gentleman is
obliged to live in certain style.
"Oh, dare say, even if he sacrifices
everything else in the effort. You love
me, but you love money better. Have
stated the case correctly"
He glanced at her cold, impenetra Bile
face.
How hard you are, Margaret" he
sail, reproachfully. You don't under
stand the difficulty. Love in a cottage
x ell enough in theory, but no fun in
= ao.lee. I could not be happy under
such circumstances. love you dearly,
and if l only had little money, should
like nothing better than to marry you.
Thanks" was the quiet reioinder
! Your assurance is quite consoling, but
l don't believe quite appreciate the
honor you would confer upon me. Of
course the idea Of my possible objection
has not entered your mind. Under the
! circumstances / may regard your loss as
my gain.
How truly his loss was her gain she
did not pause to reflect.
"You are excellent at sarcasm" he re-
joined with reproach. Il was only
speaking of my wishes. If you had
told me two weeks ago, how thoroughly
you despised me I might have been a
wiser man to-day"
| Margaret understood his meaning
She felt that he had no right to speak
to her in this way, yet his words
panied her. In imagination she went
hack to the first hour of their meeting
She remembered how glad she had felt
that they would be thrown together for
short time in this quiet place. She
remembered what faith she had placed
in the existence of those good qualities
Miss Hilton had mentioned, and what
hopeful longings and eager expecta-
tons had filled the hours of her COM
partnership with him, and now her dis
appointment was both keen and bitter.
1t lent new sharpness to her answer.
you dare not blame me for any ac-
ton of yours, she said, endeavoring to
speak quietly. Il have endured your
company. Could I do otherwise? You
have tried to win my affection by all the
arts in your power. suppose you found
the pastime amusing, ana probably you
imagined that you had SO far succeeded,
that if it suited your pleasure to honor
me with proposal of marriage, would
accept it with thanks. hope you have
discovered your mistake. I would not
marry you to save myself from starva-
ton. You have insulted me quite
enough"
Not insulted. Margaret" he said, re-
proachfully, looking into her passionate
face. Believe me, have intended nc
insult. I respect and admire you toe
much, and l love you far more than
can ever love my cousin. Yet, have
no alternative. I must marry her Oh
starve
Margaret's lips moved. She was about
to make an angry reioinder, but with ar
effort she controlled the impulse.
you will starve royalty" she said
somewhat bitterly. Il consider marry
ing for money contemplate. You have
different views. We have learned some
thing new of each other. Money stands
above love in your estimation. You
cannot forego the luxuries Of life for til,
sake Of one you pretend to love will
such devotedness. Now, if 1 loved ;
| man." she continued, with Sigh
, tremor in her quiet voice, Il would sac
r.fice my fOndest desires for his sake