The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-15
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What can one Go:" repeated Brian,
ignoring the personality. Rather ask:
What can't he do? New York lie is so
flexible, my dear, that it bonds to every
caprice. Wonderful and accommodatin.
both. There's pleasure for everybody,
\ thousand amu5ements to ill 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. l think YOUR
Gothamite's life would not suit nc"
Not If you hold your present princi-
pies, certainly. Really, Margaret, YOU
are q most opinionated young
woman, and I'd be delighted if YOU
would drop one or two Of your theories
by the waysidc."
i dare say it would be as we'll was
the answer; they could not fall on more
barren soil than your unappreciative
mind offers"
Say philosophical rather than unap-
preciatiye. You must admit that have
reason on my side. Show me the bcnc-
tit OF working ones self to death, when
there is no necessity for it. You only
see the surface, Margaret, hut l go
deeper.
"On tho contrary" smiled Margaret.
you see only the surface, while 1 look
deeper. You look only at the need Of
money, but soc q hundred effects in
which money has no part Necessity is
very accommodating term, and has a
different shade of meaning for different
people. AS for working ones self to
death, I'm afraid that is also an accom-
nodating term. A lazy man might con-
slider the slightest exertion step to-
| ward that lamentable end
Il suppose am that lazy MANI"
i shouldn't be at all surprised. And,
setting joking aside, Brian. l do think
that no man has right to. Go 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 a NAM,
tired of himself. Now, don't look at
mo with that expression, please. don't
want to be a shrew, or a preacher,
either. detest everlasting preachers,
and l don't intend to be one. Never
thelcss, l wish to gracious you'd find
something to do, and have a better
reason for going to New York than your
present one, which is-wcll, not partic-
ularly creditable."
Margarcts voice broke slightly, but
she tried to hide the momentary weak
ness by slipping her coffee.
Brian's face had flushed very visibly
at her allusion 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 my want of practice.
Very well, Brian, be prepared for an
early call. 1t is not your ability ]
doubt. though"
AS he had said, Brian went to New
York tho next day. Il shall be back in
a day OF So" he told Margaret on bid
ding her, Sood-by. You may expect
me.
Margaret did expect him, but she was
disappointed.
The days passed, and after his first
letter she heard no more from him. She
became worried and anxious, though
even to herself she would not acknowl-
edge her alarm.
She did not dream Of bodily harm.
Intelligence Of such a mishap would
have reached her quickly. Yet in some
intangible way she felt that he was in
danger and needed her.
In cases like this philosophy is of
little avail. TO tell herself that this Or
that was impossible, that Brian was
merely forgetful and indifferent, aug
mented rather than relieved her fears.
TO relieve her mind she rode over to
The Cedars to see and talk with Alice;
but upon reaching her destination she
was told that Alice had left the house
with the intention Of returning in q short
time.
AS she had the afternoon at her dis
posal, Margaret decided to wait; so she
found her way to the small room adioin
ing the library and seated herself in a
lounging chair. The house was very
silent, and the room unusually warm,
and as q consequence Margaret, becom-
ing rather drowsy, was soon quite TN
: conscious of her surroundings.
How long she remained so she did not
know, but presently she was aroused
by loud voices raised in some altcrca-
ton. At first they were rather indis-
t:nct and seemingly put part Of dream
"Verv we'll, sir, go to the devil for all
l care
"The Coloncl's voice." Margaret de-
, cidad, still unable to shake Off the i'm.
pres sion of dreaming
whats tho good Of your educat.on
I'd like to know?" the voice continued
DO you imagine gave you the oppor-
tunity OF reading law for you to give il
up when you grew tired? No, sir! ThiS
idea of writing that's turned your heaH
t is only another name for doing nothing
Confound me! I believe you want to be
, like that d. scoundrel, Lcigh-'
Margaret started. Was this dream
ing?