The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-15

was actually touching her life. WHY
had it never occurred to her before?
| Why had she not guessed that, while
| she passed her thoughtless, unthinkiny
days in the safety of her own home he
was following a path OF ruin amid the
| guided temptations Of New York;. How
much OF the blame would lie at her door,
anu what would he the end? All. those
bitter questions, with Their more bitter
| possibilities.
Before her mind rose the memory Of
solemn moment and the ncyer-fOrgot-
| ten words:
Don't forget Brian. Be good to him
for my sake"
Did she need such memories to make
her realize that now us never before
his future, his destiny rested in her
hands? She could not sit here and wait
| quietly for Alice nor could she be found
! mere by either BERTHE or the Colonel.
She must leave the house unobscrycd if
| possible
Alas! it was not possible. Scarcely
| had she reached tho hall than BERTHE,
leaving the library at the same moment,
| SiHit SuNliVnIS d('oil Htl
Margaret, he said, starting at sight
Of her. you here? l did not know.
You are in trouble. louare i'll. Tell me. I"
Heart sick, Berthe, only heart sick, :"
she returned, with haIf-sobbins
breath, while she caught at the door
for support. Il came TO see Alice. She
is out; | cannot wait longer"
You have been waiting them he
questioned, quite bcwildcred by her
strange manner. margaret, he add
cd, with sudden revation, you heard. "
Yes" she answered, lowering her
eyes before his plying glance. Il was
| in there and heard all. did not know
| before"
Poor child" he said, with unusual
gcntlcncss. If Brian could only SEQ
you now. I wish could have tcll you
less abruptly. 1t was cruel. Father
will be SO sorry. Let me bring him
here. He might comfort you, Mar
garrett"
Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned
rather heavily against the stairway.
NO, BERTHE, no one can do that. 1t is
impossible, impossible. think his
sympathy would be very hard to bear
now. Don't pity me. Advise me. 1
feel so helpless. Have you known-lons?
Why has God sent mo this - this
troublo?"
It was hard for Bertie to meet this
inquiry calmly.
Not for any desert Of yours, he
said, rather huskily. You ask me if l
have known long. I'm afraid l must
say yes. The first time I saw Brian
not himsclf-l am hurting you"
NO. Go on, please. Tell me all. It
can make very little difference now"
Il was surprised and shocked. I
thought of you and talked to Brian.
He promised to do better. believe he
intended to, and | think he tried, but
his resolutions are weak and easily
broken. Do you remember the day I
met you in the road and you remarked
upon my long face? 1t was the day
before Brian left on this last visit. I
dreaded the result for him, and deter
mined to tell you all and let your per-
suasons influence him. But, Margaret,
when I saw your face my heart failed
NE, and / allowed the opportunity to
slip. Yet you can remember how ear
nest was III begging you to use your
influence to keep Brian at home. Here
the temptation see rs to have no power
over him. think your presence must
he the cause. Unfortunately, though
he loves the allurcmcnts Of city life
And you are not there.
NO, but shall be-" returned Mar
garet, lifting her grateful eyes to his.
"Thank you for showing ne the way"
1T is so little to thank ne for, he
returned, sadly Il wish | could do a
thousand times more for yol.. If Brian
is not content to stay with YOU at Elm
wooc, the next best thing is for you tc
be with him in New York. 1t will be q
gain for him, but leaving your home
will be a heavy sacrifice for you. DO
you fell called upon to make it,"
He looked kindly in her face, but he
found no hesitation there.
a hundred times, if necessary" She
responded. Il had not thought of tia
part, and cannot speak OF it yet. vii
YOU sec that John brings my horse? Ant
remember me to Alice and yo,Y father
please.
Keep Up a brave heart. he said, as
helped her on her horse a few moment:
later, land don't forget me il you ncet
a friend, though heaven grant yoa never
may"
Margaret nodded. She could no
speak, and pressing her hand with sym
pathetic warmth, Bcrtie watched he
ride away, and then went in to recoun
TO his father all that had passed between
them.
This served to increase the old gentle
mans Indignation at what he callc(
Drian's dcspicable conduct.
While BERTHE talked he paced tn
room, alternately praising Margaret
whom he loved like 4 daughter, and con
dcmning Brian, who, in his estimation
had been false alike to the highest prln
cipIc of manhood and to the honor ant
respect due to his wife.
TO BE COST!SUED.
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