The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-04
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST A. 1897.
att is very we'll to saw that while your


I know you don't mean it. My bird has
beef so eequettish and Knocked me with
so many sweet songs, that l am glad to
see her Gagged at last. Now, as she per-
sistently refuses to unclose her eyes to
the beauty Of my countenance, shall
proceed to take matters in my own
hands,"
This threat he promptly carried out.
Disregarding her resistance, he lifted
her blushing face until he could look
into her dropping eyes. Then, appar-
emily satisfied with his long, intent
gaze, he drew her closer to him, and
kissed her unresisting lips with grave
tenderness.
Alice, was right; you do like me a
little."
A half hour later, Alice suggested the
ACCESSIBILITY of returning to the Colonel.
BERTHE acqusesced reluctantly.
"Come in" called the old gentleman,
us they hesitated at the door.
How many miles did you have to
travel to find Alice? You've been gone
lust thirtysfive minutes, but Pll forgive
YOU. Think yot1' We gotten ahead of the
old man, Ell? Wouldn't have a wife OF
my choosing? Oh, no. Wanted an Old
mare to your liking. Humph! You
empty pate, you've got the very girl
picked out for you. Think l have taste,
ehY Well, she'll lead you dance. She's
got the devils own temper, and you're
about her equal, sir"
Il am your son, was the imperturba-
bic reply.
"Yes, yes. Nobody'd think it, though.
You'll never have your fathers sense
boy. Come here, you little coquette'
and kiss your uncle. And, BERTHE, you
scamp, if you don't give her everything
she wants, I'll shoot you. Now clear
out, both of you. You addle my oewll-
dered BRAIN"
An clear out they did, with alacrity.
During tho days that followed Mar
garet and Alice saw great deal OF each
other, but this constant companionshlp
was fraught more Of pain than OF pleas
ure to Margaret for the happy content,
ment which filled Al:ce's heart Knocked
her with the knowledge of something
wanting in her own life. The pain wa:
hidden in her own heart, but her doubts
and fears found outward expression in
nervous restlessness, lack OF definite
purpose and lowness of spirits. Many
times did she reproach herself severely
for allowing such feelings to influence
hor: but, do what she would, she coult
not Danish the vague pain with which
she looked forward to the future. 1t Is
not that am unhappy" she told her
self, "but it is the possibility of wha
lies before me.
One evening, during one OF Brian:
periodical visits to Emwood, she wen
with him to take dinner at The Cedars
She found the evening thoroughly en-
joyable, and for the time being she lal'
5 aside her depression and was in bril-
7 liant spirits. The Colonel, whose veil
was particularly happy, kept her by nj
side and made himself especially en-
PERTAINING.
"You needn't be jealous" he said t
Brian, you'll enjoy all her sweetness
presently. No hope for us Old fellows
You young ones manage to shine u
i down and the girls like your handsom
J, faces and forget your empty heads. J"
Brian joined in the laugh raised at nj
:; expense, but when his eye met Margaret
u y he was both surprised and rerplexed
u it's peculiar expression.
. + During the ride home he found her ga
. spirits had given way to a moody S
lence, which he tried several times
u u break without much success. .
4 Il was hoping for nice talk wit
. you," he said at last rather desperatel,
) but you seem determined not to gratif
= me. You know that return to the cit
to morrow, too, and | won't see 20
} again until come to claim you for m
. own. My darling, if you could realiz
u with what unspeakable Joy look To-
ward to that time. But you are SO co
u can't understand you, Margare
% Sometimes I begin to fear you regret,
" Don't begin to think anyth ,ng so q
:, void of sense. Brian. If can belize
~ in disinterested affection it isn't n
W fault. Some one stole my faith fro
:, me-"
- She settled back in her corner vii
n these words and wrapped her clio;
Ia more closely about her.
N Il am very cross, Brian, she add
It after moment Of self-reproach.
II don't want to be cross to you. Plea
- remember that even when l forget it
~ am sorry I ever had heafc..
ct Had, Margaret" he repeated, brigh
+ ening at once at her gentle tones. -
X, don't let US be doleful, please. Talk
something else
After this outburst Margaret settl
still further back in her corner, Al
Brian tried in vain to catch gimp
of her face in the Pickering light OF t
ue two carriage lamps
lis No further remark broke tho silent