The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
LAKE PROVIDENCE, EAST PARISH La SATURDAY,

her sight the shame and disgrace tina
was actually touching her life. VIII,
had 1t never occurred to her before
Why had she not guessed that, whil,
she passed her thoughtless, unthinkinl
days In the safety of her own home, h,
was following path of ruin amid tn,
gilded temptations Of New York? How
much OF the blame would lie ut her door
and what would be the end? Ali those
bitter questions, with their more bittel
possibilities!
Before her mind rose the memory Of
solemn moment and the never-forgot.
ten words:
Don't forget Brian. Be good to him
for my sake"
Did she need such memories to make
her realize that now as never before
his future, his destiny rested in her
hands? She could not sit here and wait
| quietly for Alice nor could she be found
here by either BERTHE or the Colon ell
| She must leave the house unobserved II
| possible.
Alas! 1t was not possible. Scarcely
| had she reached the hall than BERTHE,
| leaving the library at the same moment,
came suddenly upon her.
Margaret, he said, starting at sight
Of her. You here? I did not know.
You are in trouble. You are ill., Tell me. VI
"Heart-sick, BERTHE, only heart-sick.
she returned, with a half-sobbing
breath, while she caught at the door
for support. Il came TO see Alice. She
is out; cannot wait longer"
You have been waiting then," he
questioned, quite bewildered by her
strange manner. Margaret" he add
ed. with sudden revation, you heard.
YES" she answered, lowering her
eyes before his plying glance. Il was
in there and heard all. did not know
before"
Poor child" he said, with unusual
gentleness. If. Brian could only see
you now. 1 wish 1 could have told you
less abruptly. 1t was cruel. Father
will be SO sorry. Let me bring him
here. He might comfort you, Mar
garet."
Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned
rather heavily against the stairway.
mo, BERTHE, no one can do that. 1t is
impossible, impossible. l think his
sympathy would be very hard to bear
now. Don't pity me. Advise me.
feel SO helpless. Have you known-long?
Why has God sent me this - this
trouble?"
1t was hard for BERTHE to meet this
inquiry calmly.
Not for any desert of yours" he
said, rather huskily. you ask me if
have known long. I'm afraid 1 must
say yes. The first time 1 saw Brian
not himself-I am hurting you"
NO. Go on, please. Tell me all It
can make very little difference now"
cE
thought of you and / talked to Brian.
intended to, and / think he tried, but
his resolutions are weak and easily
broken. Do you remember the day I
met you in the road and you remarked
upon my long face? 1t was the day
before Brian left on this last visit. I
dreaded the result for him, and deter
mined to tell you all and let your per-
suasions influence him. But, Margaret,
when 1 saw your face my heart failed
me, and 1 allowed the opportunity to
slip. Yet you can remember how ear
nest I was in begging you to use your
influence to keep Brian at home. Here
the temptation seems to have no power
over him. / think your presence must
be the cause. Unfortunately, though,
he loves the allurements Of city life.
And you are not there.
NO, but shall be-" returned Mar
garet, lifting her grateful eyes to his.
Thank you for showing me the way"
It Is so little to thank me for, he
returned, sadly. Il wish I could do q
thousand times more for you. II Brian
is not content to stay with you at Elm
wooe, the next best thing is for you to
be with him in New York. 1t will be
gain for him, but leaving your home
will be heavy sacrifice for you. Do
you fell called upon to make it?"
He looked kindly in her face, but he
found no hesitation there.
A hundred times, il necessary" she
responded. Il had not thought Of that
part, and cannot speak of it yet. viii
you see that John brings my horse2 And
remember me to Alice and your father,
please" :
Keep up brave heart" he said, as
helped her on her horse few moments
later, and don't forget me if you need
a friend, though heaven grant you never
may"
Margaret nodded. She could not
speak, and pressing her hand with SYM
pathetic warmth, BERTHE watched her
ride away, and then went In to recount
to his father ali that had passed between
them.
This served to increase the old GENTLE
mans Indignation at what he called
Brian's despicable conduct.
While BERTHE talked he paced the
room, alternately praising Margaret,
whom he loved like daughter, and con-
demning Brian, who, in his estimation,
had been false alike to the highest prin-
c;ple of manhood and to the honor and
respect due to his wife.
Irn NE