The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-25
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AAWOMAN5 INF LUENCE

Ignoring the personality. haIher ask:
What can't he do? New York life is so
flexible, my dear, that it bends to every |
caprice. Wonderful and accommodating |
both. There's pleasure for everybody.
A Thousand amusements to fill up ones |
time. Ask Gothamite how he enjoys |
himself and hear his answer"
Then from your account I am to as
sumo that enjoyment is the end and
aim OF his existence. think your
Gothamite's life would not suit me.
Not If you hold your present princi-
pies, certainly. Really, Margaret, you
are a most self opinionated young
woman, and I'd be delighted If you
would drop one or two Of your theories
by the wayside. "
Il dare say it would be as well, was
the answer; they could not fall on more
barren soil than your unappreciative
mind offers.
Say philosophical rather than unap-
preciative. You must admit that I have
reason on my side. Show me the bene-
fit Of working ones self to death, when
there is no necessity for it. You only
see the surface, Margaret, but I so
deeper"
"On the contrary" smiled Margaret.
you see only the surface, while I look
deeper. You lcok only at the need of
money, but 1 see hundred effects in
which money has no part. Necessity is
q very accommodating term, and has q
different shade of meaning for different
people. AS for working ones self to
death, I'm afraid that is also an accom-
modating term. A lazy man might con-
slider the slightest exertion step to-
ward that lamentable end.
Il suppose l am that lazy mani"
Il shouldn't be at all surprised. And,
setting joking aside, Brian, do think
that no man has right to do nothing.
Lounging about day after day, with no
higher ambition than to amuse ones
self would, it seems to me, make man
or woman more particularly mani {,
tired of himself. Now, don't look at
me with that expression, please. don't
want to be a shrew, or a preacher,
either. I detest everlasting preachers,
and 1 don't intend to be one. Never
theless, l wish to gracious you'd find
something to do, and have better
reason for going to New York than your
present one, which is-well, not partic-
ularly. creditable.
Margarets voice broke slightly, but
she tried to hide the momentary weak
ness by slipping her coffee.
Brian face had flushed very yisibly
at her allu5ion to the reason of his visits
to the city and he, too, went on eating
in silence.
Margaret" he said, presently, If you
have any old men or women who need
doctoring call me in and I'll show you
, what l can do. I'm pretty fair, not
withstanding myywant of practice.
Very we'll, Brian, be prepared for ar
: early call. 1t is not your ability
doubt. though.
AS he had said, Brian went to New
York the next day. Il shall be back II
day or so, he told Margaret on bid
ding her good-by. "You may expec
ne.
Margaret did expect him, but she wa'
i, disappointed.
The days passed, and after his frs
letter she heard no more from him. Sh
became worried and anxious, thoug]
> even to herself she would not acknowl
u edge her alarm.
y She did not dream Of bodily harm
Intelligence Of such a mishap woult
! have reached her quickly. Yet in som
intangible way she felt that he was il
danger and needed her.
In cases like this philosophy is 9
|, little avail. To tell herself that this o
u that was impossible, that Brian wa
Il merely forgetful and Indifferent, aug
mented rather than relieved her fears.
" To relieve her mind she rode over t
!, The Cedars to see and talk with Alice
u but upon reaching her destination sh
} was told that Alice had left the hous
with the intention Of returning in a shol
y, II time.
~ AS she had the afternoon at her dis
~ posal, Margaret decided to wait; so sh
. found her way to the small room adjoi1
ing the library and seated herself in
lounging chair. The house was yer
silent, and the room unusually warn
and as a consequence Margaret, becon
IS ing rather drOwsy, was soon quite III
ar conscious of her surroundings.
r. How long she remained SO she did NJ
le know, but presently she was arouse
by loud voices raised in some altered
IN ton. At first they were rather indi
ct tinct and seemingly put part of dream
I'd "yerv we'll, sir, go to the devil for
r. I care"
THE Colonels voice." Margaret d
1e cided, still unable to shake off the in
y, pres sion Of dreaming
ol whats the good Of your educat.o
to I'd like to know" the voice continue
II. DO you imag:n gave you the oppo
ag tunity OF reading law for you to give
up when you grew tired? No, sir! Th
e. idea of writing that's turned your hei
st is only another name for doing nothin
I'm Confound me! I believe you want to
ne like that d. scoundrel, Leigh"
Margaret started. Was this drea1
ut ing?
St. "You are mistaken" came the answ
tic in Bertie's voice. Il have no desire
I emulate Brian in any respect. Plea
20 credit me with some consideration
ar Alice"
be If YOU didn't show more for her TIL
he does for his wife, I'd shoot you wi
yer my own hands. He ought to be hun
,es the scoundrel! Leaving his wife as
M has been doing, allowing his domes
q affairs to be the talk Of the neighbt
hood and her name to become the su
IL ject of discussion with every vule
re- gossip in the place, ana ne gallvantl
Ter around the city like a loafer, lounging
clubs mornings, moons, and nights, a
I drunk at that Beale saw him the otl
/ I day lying on the club house steps, |
drunk to move. And Margaret /
ike thrown herself away on such creatu
in Don't get so excited, you say? Do y
lit, think / am made Of stone? Do )
think I can talk quietly and cain
led when l remember her? Why in
name of heaven do such men he
wives? Why in the name Of j