The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-06-05
CHAPTER XVII,

CHAPTER XVII.
LIFTING OF THE CLOUDS.
To Brian, the knowledge that Mar
garet had not lost all feeling for him,
and that her faith in him was strong,
Notwithstanding his many falls,
brought new strength and courage.
With the rower Of strong determine
ton he seemed to be gaining victory
over that old habit. Not an entire one,
of course. Margaret could not expect
so much. Sometimes a friend could
lure him away, but this was. seldom,
and never since their talk in her room
had he lost the entire command Of him
self.
Under these circumstances Margaret
felt her heart considerably lightened.
She could look forward more hopefully
to the future, and her letters took on
something of her OWE cheerful spirit.
Brian could not fail to see the change.
and it was equally apparent to Wilson,
in his few brief visits. He only dropped
in upon rare occasions now, seldom
stayed long, and always claimed that he
was too busy even to find time to see
his friends.
Il suppose we must accept your ex-
cuses, Doctor" Margaret replied one
evening to his usual plea. Can t you
teach your patients sor'a idea Of the fit
ness of things? Why should they all
get sick together? think q few might
wait until the others are we'll.
so they might, Mrs. Leigh, If they
could see the matter from your point OF
view. Unfortunately, however, illness,
like time and tide, waits for no man.
We have had a very trying winter, and
pneumonia is very prevalent. That has
added considerably to my labors. l con-
TESS l am thoroughly tired out when
night comes, and only too lad to creep
into bed.
And sleep in the comfortable sense
that your rest is well earned"
Eyes" he laughed, though that is no
proof against it's being broken. The
only time my profession brings regret
is when 1 hear my night bell Jingling
and I am called from delightful
nap"
Just as I've always said," observed
Brian, with. a side glance at Margaret.
"A Doctors life is all work and no
play" y ,.,.
you?" she reioined, quickly. "SSill, play
or not, Brian, it is very noble profes'
sion, and when I was child always
declared should be a doctors wife.
There was a decided question in the
eyes she fixed upon him.
poor Margaret he replied, JOINING
in Wilson'S laugh. what miserable
concern you managed to get. Only the
beginning Of one.
Don't be so generous with your sym
rathy. please. beginning is better
than nothing. An acorn is only the be-
ginning of an oak, but we don't desplst
the acorn because it is not an oak
yet"
Wilson, as we'll as Brian, caught tn
delicate emphasis on the yet, ana NJ
answered with half smile:
"Brian will become an hohored mem
her Of the profession before his days ar
ended I predict that, Mrs. Leigh"
An, l have quite decided it," re-
turned Margaret promptly: Brian
knows that as we'll as Il Go.
couldn't have all my childish ,calcula
tons upset. | used to think oncl'
Stephen the very personificatlon OF al
things good and noble, and wondered
then if his son were anything like him
You see had not met Brian.
and now, Margaret, that you nav
49, Brian came behind her chair Wit
+bis question. She glanced back at hin
and smiled.
"1 never form an opinion of boo
after reading only its first page. mus
On deeper to see if it will realize or dls
!, appoint my expectations. Besides:
d dpp,t air nv views in public. Speakin
i ~ views she continued more lightly
aI have some I want to show you, DOC
tor You must promise to think tneI
very beautiful. or | shall DC d,sap
pointed. Brian, will you get 1nen
please"
At this request Brian got out a sma
. folio of wood cuts and pen pictures
,virE scenes about Elmwood and tn
surrounding country. They were a
excellent, and Wilson's appreciation, Iva wa
vas warm enough to satisfy even Nal
S" DO you wonder that Lam am proud 70 =;
, r,nowood2" she asked, after an an
mated n description OF several OF Its lln e;
no;nts. 80 you wonder that $; sn4 9h.
love 50 deary9 MY My :; To ~ d. IS for ant
Brian doesn't care for IT. as ~ w. Sa ,oA - :
+ was born there. | THINK na ne ma1 o. =,
? least bit Of fondness for a bohe hnaa,e %.
istence. am sorry Tor nun, o uvo sort
q do think it a most unsatisIac'GTliIi o T. tn
o life. / agree with GeGr se,a a snot tn,
= W. , a.. stand clearly out in, memory, al
: 81 tnt which I our minds and hearts may !, a
j low. ~ wn, return, no matter how Jar we NE
49,, 49, DO ndered from 1t. ,