The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-08-14
CHAPTER XXI.
.GGGSSSS~

81 want to see In you the worthy sue
cessor of my old friend" he said one
dav. you can work out an honorable
career. and you should. You owe IL
not only 10 his memory but also to that
dear. sweet wife OF yours. Let her DC
your inspiration. promised your father
when he Was dying that would act INC
part of friend to her. l don't belleVe
/ can do that moro effoctuaily than ny
helping you. ,.t
Is done for me, sec Margaret as the
prompting motive. This prevents any |
feeling of concelt on my part, and L am
willing that she shall have thu we'll
deserved credit, but, nevertheless, my
MINDLESS sails flap rather doiefuily'
"Dr. Philips says have dear, sweet
wife. What do you think OF that, Mar
garrett"
THAT he Is man given to over
praise" replied Margaret, glancing up
from the scarf she was embroiderlng.
"A very nice man, though" che added.
turning to her work once more. 30
good to me and SO good to you.
He was standing behind her CHAIR,
and bent his head 10 look into her eyes.
Nervous under such close contact she
started up, and made pretense OF ar
ranging some books upon small taple;
The sigh with which his eye followed
her awakened in her heart some twingS
of remorse for what, she felt oblige1 10
confess, was an unreasonable petraYai
of ill-huumor.
come back to your chair, Margaret.
You can be very cruel sometimes.
Have you any right to blame me-
Brian2"
A glance at his face made her regret
this question the second 1t passed ner
iIns but before she could recall 1t he
had left the room, with the WORDS ues-
tined TO echo In hcr heart through many
long, bitter days. ;,
no. Margaret. No right at ell.
see your love is OF for me.
A few minutes later she heard the
sound of his horses hoofs on the drive
outside. 1t was too late now. she
must wait until his return. Then she
would tel him how sorry she was.
She wondered why. the moments
dragged so heavily, scarcely an hou
had passed since Brian had left her; /
seemed more like three. The sound
some disturbance down stairs came Il
her ears. With nervous start sh
listened anxiously. There was no mis-
taking the hurried footsteps and sub
dued voices. Something unusual ha
happened.
with q mind filled with terrible dread
md n heart beating to almost suffoca
tion. she few down the steps, along tn
hall. and into the library, and there
No need to ask the matter now. Durln
second, In which she seemed to die
hundred deaths, she TOOK in tho whl'
face and still form upon the SOFA. an
then, without even cry, but Win 2
expression that fixed itself lndeilpl
upon the minds of those who saw !
che knelt beside this remnant OF u
life and strength OF an hour before, an
taLing the cold hands between her owl
soothed and pressed them in her effo
10 bring back their lost warmth. Po'
bandsI a little while ago she had shrur
from their contact, am now they were o
nowerless, too helpless to respond eve
to her touch; yet she would still no
them, and, perhaps, after time he mig
feel She would lay her heart on nj
he would hear its beating and mig
understand. She would
Margaret. a.,
She heard her name repeated SOFT
she felt a gentle touch upon her shou
der. and strong hand lifting her fro
her crouching position, and she rails
her face. haggard and drawn with Ell
fering. to meet DR.. Philips sympathe
glance.
Don't give way" he said kindly, sc
ing the question In her eyes. we MI
Get him to his room, and meanwhile
may hope that things are not SO BAD
they seem"
sPoor child" he murmured after
had left her; "and poor Brian. III
thought, when l saw him SO wen
be so near deatn. sao ehoinS w
young career. 49, :,
while Margaret sat by Brian's b
+rv,no in the pain and remorse WI
Allied her heart to overlooking to mi
tho most of the few attentions she CO
lavish upon him, thought came 10
like ray OF hope.
Il will ask him to come, she
,,rdar her breath. Il will ask hin
come. Did YOU call me, Brianf
hent over the bed and gazed mu
nm m the motionless face. NO. d.
had not called, and with heartoIo
aigh she turned away to write the
gram which was to tell wilson
Brian's danger. y,,. =,
And three hours later Wilson ca
We'll might Margaret say, as her
rested in his sympathetic clasp;
Il felt so sure that you would &c &C
your presence gives me streneIh
hone. l feel that he Will be sal
sAs safesas these hands can n
him. Mrs. Leigh. Please Goo
confidence will not be misplaced; )
Margaret herself scarcely realized q, ! ( .
extent OF this confidence until 10
taken Wilson to Erian.s room,
waited with suspense that anou
to agony the opinion wnich sho
would mean so much.
She watched his face anxiousiy
1t revealed little. and only by s.
intuition did she understand ina
considered Brian's state most crltls
With the lest CLEAN OF hope Q
from her heart, che followed him
ths room a4 -.