The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
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What can't he do2 New York life is 81
flexible, my dear, that it bends to ever,
caprice. Wonderful and accommodation
both. There's pleasure for everybody
A thousand amusements to fill up one
time. Ask Gothamite how he enjoys
himself and hear his answer"
Then from your account am to as
sumo that enjoyment Is the end and
aim OF his existence. I think you
Gothamite's life would not suit me-
Not If you hold your present princi.
pies, certainly. Really, Margaret, you
are a most self-opinionated young
woman, and I'd be delighted II yor
would drop one or two Of your theories
by the wayside."
Il dare say it would be as WE'LL" was
the answer; they could notfall on more
barren soil than your unappreciative
mind offers"
Say philosophical rather than unap-
preciative. You must admit that have
reason on my side. Show me the bene-
fit OF working ones self to death, when
there is no necessity for it. You only
see the surface, Margaret, but GO
deeper"
"On the contrary" smiled Margaret.
you see only the surface, while / look
deeper. You lcok only at the need OF
money, but 1 see hundred effects in
which money has no part. Necessity is
a very accommodating term, and has a
different shade Of meaning for different
people. AS for working ones self to
death, I'm afraid that is also an accom-
modating term. A lazy man might con-
slider the slightest exertion a Step to-
ward that lamentable end.
Il suppose am that lazy mann.
i shouldn't be at all surprised. And,
setting joking aside, Brian, do think
that no man has right to do nothing.
Lounging about day after day, with no
higher ambition than to amuse one's
self would, it seems to me, make man
or woman more particularly a mani i,
tired OF himself. Now, don't look at
me with that expression, please. don t
want to be shrew, or a preacher,
either. detest everlasting preachers,
and / don't intend to be one. Never
theless, wish to gracious you'd find
something to do, and have better
reason for going to New York than your
present one, which is-well, not partic-
ularly creditable.
Margaret's voice broke slightly, but
she tried to hide the momentary weak
ness by slipping her coffee.
Brian face had flushed very visibly
at her allusion to the reason Of his visits
to the city and he, too, went on eating
in silence.
Margaret" he said, presently, IF you
have any old men or women who need
doctoring call me In and I'll show you
what can do. I'm pretty fair, not
withstanding my want of practice.
Very well, Brian, be prepared for an
early call. 1t is not your ability l
doubt. though.
AS he had said, Brian went to New
York the next day. Il shall be back in
a day or So, he told Margaret on bid
ding her good-by. You may expect
ne.
Margaret did expect him, but she was
disappointed.
The days passed, and after his first
letter she heard no more from him. She
became worried and anxious, though
even to herself she would not acknowl-
edgs her alarm.
She did not dream of bodily harm.
Intelligence Of such mishap would
have reached her quickly. Yet In some
intangible way she felt that he was in
danger and needed her.
In cases like this philosophy is of
little avail. To tell herself that this or
that was impossible, that Brian was
merely forgetful and Indifferent, aug
mented rather than relieved her fears.
To relieve her mind she rode over to
The Cedars to see and talk with Alice;
but upon reaching her destination she
was told that Alice had left the house
with the intention of returning in short
time.
As she had the afternoon at her dis
posal. Margaret decided to wait; 80 she
found her way to the small room adjoin-
ing the library and seated herself in a
lounging chair. The house was very
silent, and the room unusually warm,
and as a consequence Margaret, becom-
Ing rather drowsy, was soon quite I'M
conscious Of her surroundings.
How long she remained so she did not
know, but presently she was aroused
by loud voices raised in some alterca-
ton. At first they were rather indis-
tinct and seemingly put part Of dream
VERY well, sir, go to the devil for all
care.
"The Colonels voice." Margaret de-
cided, still unable to shake off the i'm
pres sion OF dreaming
What's the good Of your education,
I'd like to know?" the voice continued.
Do you imagine gave you the oppor-
tunity OF reading law for you to give it
up when you grew tired? No, siri This
idea Of writing that's turned your head
is only another name for doing nothing.
Confound me! / believe you want to be
like that d. scoundrel, Leigh"
Margaret started. Was This dream
ing?
"You are mistaken" came the answer
in Bertie's voice. Il have no desire to
emulate Brian in any respect. Please
credit me with some consideration for
Alice"
IF you didn't show more for her than
he does for his wife, I'd shoot you with
my own hands. He ought to be hung,
the scoundrel! Leaving his wife as he
has been doing, allowing his domestic
affairs to be the talk Of the neighbor-
hood and her name to become the SUBJ
ject of discussion with every vulgar
gossip in the place. and he galivanting
around the city like loafer, lounging in
clubs mornings, moons, and nights, and
drunk at that. Beale saw him the other
day lying on the club house steps, too
drunk TO move. And Margaret has
thrown herself away on such creature.
Don't get so excited, you say2 Do you
think / am made of stone? Do you
think / can talk quietly and calmly
when / remember her? Why in the
name Of heaven do such men have
wives? Why in the name Of just