The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-24


glad of this chance encounter be greeted
him warmly.
this is really the first moment
could call my own to-day" declared
wilson, taking cigar from tho case
Berie offered him. "Wh,re is your
destinat on:
Il was just trying TO decide" was
Bcrtie's answer. 4 dropp-d in TO see
Margaret, aud haven't recovered from
the shock her appearance gave me yet.
never saw her look more wretchei and
ill, though / am inclined TO think the
cause is not entirely physical"
mo. Other influences at work. How
die you leave her?"
Alone, was the sententious reply.
Alone, repeated Wilson. Then,
Brian-?"
as off disgracing himself, responded
Berthe with much anger. He ought to
be thrashed.
Wilson's face grew very grave.
u had hoped things might be better, ="
he said, with a sigh.
They will never be better l be-
leve Brian has 10 st his last grain of
manhood. He is worse than coward.
If he had q heartless, selfish wife there
might be some reason, though never an
excuse for his actions. But now there
is absolutely nothing that one can say
for him. He is simply breaSing Mar
garets heart. II you had seen her
year ago you could realize what
change these last months have wrought
in her. 1t is his doing; all his doing.
After she has left her home, her friends,
and all she loves, for his sake. Ny
heart swells with indignation at the
thought. 1 know how she loves Elm
wood, and dslikes New York. Yet
after all this. she'll continue to talk of
duty. Women are enigmas; / give
them up. I'd like 10 thrash Brian,
though. 1t might possibly do him
good.
Il can't understand him., remarked
Wilson. half absently.
No, nor can any ono Csc. He doesn't
seem worth the unders' anding. I'll
have to find him somehow, and send
him home. / can't bear the thought OF
Margaret waiting in such anxious dread,
not knowing whether he is tumbling
about in the gutter or disgracing him.
self in some other way. Are we at your
quarters already? How fast we must
have walked! No; 1 can't come in to-
night. Some other time, old fellow.
I'll have to make the round of the club
houses, I dare say. Well, goodnight.
BERTHE did not find Brian, as he had
expected, in any of his probable haunts,
though he went to them all, anXiously
examined the sea OF faces, and even
questioned the walters and attendants.
Rather disheartened after this vain
search, he scarcely knew where to go
next. In his dilemma, he was in the
act of turning a street corner when tho
full glare of the street lamps falling
upon figure in front of him revealed
something very familiar in its outlines.
Brian" he said, under his breath.
Yes, walking with the uncertain
gait that only confirmed his fears. He
thought of Margaret, and angry indig
nation overpowered him; but this Same
thought brought another, and under its
impulse he managed to control himself.
With few hasty strides he was by
Brian's side. and, placing his hand
rather heavily upon his shoulder, he
asked, roughly:
Where ere you going? Come homer"
Homer" repeated Brian, startled into
understanding and shrinking under
Bertie's glance Home to face her?
Never. few days ago promised her
1 would not touch another drop. Yes,
promised. A farce, wasn't it? Solemnly
promised You see me tonight. Go
home, you say. Go home to see her
shrink from me! To see her blush for
me! To see All, heavens, no."
These words made 10 impression on
BERTHE.
Don't add villainy to cowardice," he
said, with flashing eyes. Come, l say.
If you have no sclf-respect, remember
her, and have at least the decency to
hide your disgrace under your own roof.
You shall rot break her heart; you shall
not ruin her life. III shoot you first"
Ruin her life, echoed Brian, burying
his face in his hands. my God, l cid
not intend TO luin her life."
Bertic said no moro Perhaps even
he felt some pity for Brian's evident
agony, or perhaps he feared that words
now would express too much OF the an
ger which, burned within him. There
ero men who can never understand the
depths TO which others can fall.
Quite silent he walked by Brian, and
only loft him when the door had closed
upon him.
From her own room Margaret heard
the faltering step, and knew that Brian
had come, but even the great relief Of
this knowledge did not bring her sleep.
All night she tossed restlessly, her mind
O prey TO miserable doubts and hopeless
longiDgs, and when morning came her
face tcld its cwn story.
mo RE CONTINUED