The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-01
HWOMAN5[ INFLUENCE

Margaret laughed bitterly. "THe
neighborhoo1 has already discussed them
to It's hearts content. Be sure Of that.
don't believe I can be hurt more than
I have been on that point. As to get
ting rid of you, you talk without reason
or sense, Brian. There'd be no getting
rid Of you, even II regarded you In the
light OF milestone around my neck;
'whith I don't-Quite. Now, I've been
thinking great deal, and I have de-
cided that as you cannot endure life
here I'll have to endure lilo Iii New
York. Lam going there next week:
"To New York." repeated Brian,
scarcely able to credit his ears. Il
thought you said 1t would break your
heart to leave Elmwood."
Margaret dropped her fork and stopped
to pick 1t up before she answered.:
Don't bring up things I've said, she
returned, with some Impotence. 1One
can't DO accountable for every word. I
am determined not to be talked about,
and want to sec something OF this
wonderful New York, where life Is 80
flexible that 1t can bend to every caprice
Your expression, sir. You will have to
find me 9 resting place. Not house;
that would be bother. A small apart
ment will be best; please look for one,
II you can find time from your important
social duties
YES" said Brian, gradually recover
ing from his surprise. I'll do what !
can, Notwithstanding your sarcastic ref
erenoe to my duties. Those sweet lips
weren't made for sarcasm. Don't
frown. I know I'm daring fellow. /
wish could understand this sudden
whim OF yours. It is sensible; can't
deny that. I've thought several times
that 1t would be delightful to spend our
winters In New York and our summers
here. I shall be happy to enjoy your
society and tho city at the same time. "
Margaret did not reply to this, and
when she spoke again 1t was on another
topic.
Brian found time to secure an apart
ment which seemed to Margaret suit
able in all particulars, and as the time
she had fixed upon for departure drew
nearer she began to realize the cost OF
leaving Elmwood.
Her life was so thoroughly identified
with this home she had learned to love SO
dearly, her mind and heart 60 fully
> wrapped up in all connected with it, that
1t was hard and real sacrifice to break
up old associations, and look forward tc
an indefinite stay among comparative
strangers and uncongenial surround
ings. But tho sacrifice had to be made
and it was better to make it soon. sh'
argued. Dwelling upon 1t only made i
cP$ nj, oil Loo vi w q
= over. the bitterest part, she could fore
! herself to be contented In that great
= busy city, which held no allurements TO
= her.
She would have stolen away quietly
b to have avoided the pain Of saying good
a by to her friends. but this was not pos
n sible; so the unpleasant experience ha
to DO encountered.
!. The fearful grief Of the rectory chill
l. dren, who had grown to look upon ne
as second mother, tried her strengt
and resolution severely, and left ne
e. rather dreading her visit to The Cedars
"a in which she was sure to find the Colon'
% SO kind and sympathetic that 1t woul
to be impossible to bear up.
10 IT he only understood how 1t hurts
Or she thought, making her way to Alice
ty room, "he would be only hard end coll
to People call the world cold and unsymp'
I'd thetic, but it seems to me that
Il ON only advising you, Alice; sue
!" tempers are hereditary, you know"
or These light words broke rather rude
upon Margaret's melancholy reflection
el and notwithstanding her state OF min
she was compelled to smile.
nd Nell, I DECLARE" she soliloquize
or pulling aside the portiere and enteri1
o. the room, to find the irrepressible your
all lady seated on table, her feet danglil
er in the air and her laughing face sugges
h. ing the mischief her words had Q
IT. pressed.
"Merciful fates! If here isn't Mi
Margaret" she cried, jumping from b
he perch and rushing to greet Margar
aYou didn't expect to see me2 Well
w. guess not, but here am, as big as L
,e- and twice as natural. Thank heav
ike you've come. Take off your hat a
he coat. That's right. Now you feel me
lid at home. You'll stay to lunch,
course? Oh, yes, you will. You mu
ed. I'm goner otherwise. Why ]
do anxiety, you ask? Ye gods! what
SO. want Of comprehension! And you KIN
AZ the old bear, too; have seen his lit
NV ebullitions Of wrath, and noted the dt
the cate pink that overspreads his EXPIRE
i've features when somebody like me
an opinion-that dear, mild, belo,
AZ uncle Of mine who tried to box my e
a this morning and may be looking
7ell me even at this moment. See, ho
orn tremble, and SILVER, and shake.
to stay, pray you; stay to calm the fir
Tx his passion and throw oil on the trOub
,od waters, as it were. Did you see hin
,alI your wanderlngs through the hall?
q a you catch glimpse OF his serapl
emit cherubic-?"
rty For mercy's sake, be quiet, put
ire Alice, interruptlng Nell's flow OF
eh. quence. "You would set anyone Gre
& I SIT down, Margaret. I'll try to k
emit you from being talked to death.
he look tired already.
tai Generous creature" retorted
nit. Take this chair by me, Miss Marga
nv You'll he safe, really. Yes, uncle
Bile had glorious quarrel this morn
q II, I can't remember what about. / '
sal. tured to express an opinion on some
bits iect, I dare say. He differed with
~ it So we had regular battle. He fit
poor old Tom says, and l defended
own sell against inc venom ~, y. n'e 'on
It is Ance mercy grlhheo' "nen YOU
tempers are hereditary, and there
,rat she'd better look out.
tho did she thank you for your ADV
,rao. Thank me? Not she. Her nat'
too ungrateful. There now! l b
mon question to ask you. and I've forge
here IL aireaay. oh, yes: ID ~ iTany
< to- tna1 you afe So'ho away n'o'
in d. this morning.
+bou Yes, answered. MdTSdE6U, WI