The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-11-20

thinking that wealth brings happiness.
All of us, rich and poor alike, meet
with disappointments, and We can
either make the best of them and be
happy or make the worst of them and
be miserable. Now, here are these
gloves that I've just bought. I
couldn't get the color wanted; these
are fully three shades too dark, but
I'm not going to fret about them; I'm
going to be happy in spite of circum-
stances"
Eyes, ma am," said the girl, apatheti-
cally.
sYou have health, a home and
plenty to eat and to wear, Louise, and
I have no more than that"
eyes, ma am'-but there was repu-
diation in the tone.
Marguerite recognized it, and went
on, a softness stealing over her glad,
fower-like beauty.
"Of course, I have Ralph; but
some day, Louise, some honest
hearted young fellow will come to you,
and will love you as his life, and then,
Louise, if your heart responds" her
voice weighed with the sweet mystery
of love dropped into rhythmic cadence)
"you will be blest indeed"
eyes, ma 'am," said the girl again,
but feigned an interest in the land
scape and leaned forward to hide her
homely face from the gaze of the beau
tiful and blest.
Suddenly the feigned interest be-
came real, for she half roseto her feet,
grasping the dashboard.
"Whoaw
She threw thereins into Marguerite's
lap; and, springing to the ground.
pressed into the thicket of blackberry
and catbrier that upon one side bor-
dered the road. Parting the tangle
with her bare hands, she took one look
through the opening she had made.
The next instant she had loosened the
traces and was leading the horse out
of the shafts.
"Why, Louise''-began Marguerite;
then she got down and went to her
with face full of astonished inquiry.
The girls fingers were flying from
buckle to buckle along the harness.
$50 home as fast as you can go.
Miss Marguerite" she said. Her voice
was steady, but her hands shook.
"What do you mean, Louise?"
The girl dragged the harness off:
"For you," she said, life is worth
living; for me''-she backed the horse
to the carriage side-"death is worth
dying"
From a hub she vaulted to the
horse's back.
go homel" she shouted, fiercely;
for by now she had lost control of her
voice.
81 believe you are insane" said
Marguerite, half in anger, half in
fright.
To the quivering girl the suggestion
was an inspiration. She waved her
hands wildly:
"Go!" she shouted, jerking the
horse upon his launches, "start, OF
I'll ride you DOWN.
Marguerite fed in terror. Once she
looked back. No one was in sight,
but she heard the horses hoofs clatter-
ing downward into the town.
A catalpa, little and old and SCARED
and only of late protected from vandal,
ism by box, stood in front of the doc
tors Office. A horse wheeled under it,
and Ralph reached the sidewalk as the
rider slipped to the ground.
"What's wrong, my girl?" he asked,
with forced professional calmness.
Her breath came pantingly.
$50 home," she gasped, with tense,
white lips, "they want you"
He sprang toward his office, but she
clutched his sleeve. She was not
fierce now, but her tone Was an agony
of pleading.
ooh, gor'-for the first time in hel
life she looked full into his face
"don't stop for anything-she's dying
I tell you-Marguerite-she bleed
ing to death by the rOadside-abovt
the dam"
She pressed the bride into his hand
but he tore away into his office. Ht
was out again like flash, hatless bu
his emergency kit in hand. HI
snatched the bride and the next min
ute the woody, uphill road plucket
horse and rider out of her sight.
Almost fainting, she held to the tree
box. The street was nearly deserted
but two women, talking earnestly
came round corner. She clutchet
the gown of the nearer. b
'sThe DAM" she whispered, there
| leak"
The woman started and gathere'
her skirt closely about her. "Poo
creature!" she said to her companion
rum is the curse of this land, AM
they turned nervously into the neares
| street.
Then Weaser Tan's strength cam
again. Two boys tore past her in
wild game of chase. She seized tn
foremost by his shoulder, his compan
ion grabbed him at the same instant
and both wheeled stumblingly Il
front of her.
"Run for the hillsr'-she shool
the boy as if to awaken him fror
sleep-sthe big dam is giving way
Don't stand and stare! Alarm tn
peoplep'
She flung them from her, and the