The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-29
ACNoSS|S
CHAPTER xyIII-Continaed.

...- CHAPTER AVIII-Continaed.
Brian slept all day, and ct dinner
time Margaret, pauslng outside OF his
door and hearing no sound, fancled he
must still be sleeping. But two hours
later. whom tho loneliness and silence
became oppressive, and the desire to
see and talk to him could no longer be
resisted, she put aside the book she
had vainly tried to read, and, going to
his room; tapped upon the door.
There was no answer, and she
knocked more loudly. Still 70 answer.
Becoming frightened, she tried tho
door. It opened to reveal en- empty
room. Brian was gone. She stood for
a second motionless, trying to realize
this fact, and then without q word or
cry she went to her own room.
Ho was gone; that was all. 1t was
easy to say it. Why should she mind
so much2 Had he really been homer
Perhaps she had only dreamed, that
BERTHE had talked with her, or that che
hal heard Brian's voice. Maybe L she
should rub her eyes very hard she
would awaken presently to find herself
back at Elmwooi, and these last two
months horrible dream.
I'VE should never despair except in
the face Of positive defeat" Wilson had
once sold to her. Wasn't this positive
defeatI Could she sec hope beyond it,
Was the long, hard struggle and tho
bitter travail of spirit through which
she had passed to avail her nothingY
An, heaven would be more kind.
This thought brought certain hope
and trust with It, And she could think
quito calmly Of the hopes and longiDgs
which had filled her heart when che
married Brian. of the unfultlled dreams
and ambitions which had become 6 part
of her life, and her vague ideas Of those
| wife duties and attentions which were
to win him back from lie Of indo-
lence to 0 position high and honored
before the world. They had been in
| vain. All in vain.
She tried to put aside the overpower-
ing regret this knowledge brought her.
She would forget it. She would Sit
here no longer. The window was open
and she was cold and chilled. Besides
she heard-what2 4 step. Yes, a
step, and, thank Gol, she recog-
niZed 1t,
Without a eecond's hesitation she
left tho room, and when Brian entered
the hall outside he found her standing
like an apparitIon in the dim, uncertain
moonlight.
He started baot, but it was too late
to avoid her. Yet even in that moment
Of supreme agony. he saw that bel
white, panied face held 10 anger, nc
reproach, only the unutterable sadness
Of one who has hoped 60 much and beer
disappointed.
"You" be said, motioning her from
him with hand whose trembling ht
vainly endeavored to control. You!
What pen could describe the shame, thu
misery and despair that simple wor(
held.
Have you come to add the last dreE
to my cup OF bitterness?" he continued
rather huskily. All, you turn your fec
away, am beneath even your notice
Why did l como home to-nlght3'
because you still have little feelln
for me" she answered. in voice thu
was full Of toar5. Il can't bear to
much.
Some little feeling for her." he re
flected. MY God, have shown niue
feeling for here Yet l touched nothin
. to-day-nothing since this morning.
aWhy did you go out?' she asked
leaning rather heavily against the doc
. though che was conscious OF much rel1'
at his assurance.
ITO forget, Margaret, to forget myse
to forget you. Hero every memol
haunted me. / must have died had
stad In that room one hour longer.
: have walked and walked. My body
weary, but my mind Is active. 1t Is
living furnace Of bitter agony. 1t to
lures me. ! cannot escape
From your bette, nature. No, Brla
Thank God. you cannot escape fro
y your better nature. 1t Is the thought
D, " the man you might be which tortur
VI you. Oh, Brian, Brian! Where is 70
" promiseI'
: He laughed unsteadily. a meanin
al less laugh which Jared upon her.
al 1You see, it is worse than useless
he returned, reoklessly. I'm too wort
ID less to waste one thought upon. ! ha
I'd broken your heart end ruined your II
I'd Berthe says. Why don't you hate II
I'd Why don't you strike me as l sta
I'd here villain and O coward.
: "Ah, no. she cried, raising her ha
to her face. Not that weak and unf'
tupats, but with heavens help ma
o. He grasped the door for support. I
rentlenesS unneTved him. Conten
would have found him stronger
what con say, Margaret" he ask
looking in her face with pitiful helple
ness. What can I say Your trust
heaven for me. Can l find any e1c'
es after that. Yet / struggled. If
'es could know how hard.
but you took nothing to-nisht?"
x questioned, soft light stealing into
'ss eyes
an never more terrible. When l recall
''' these last two days | thought ! sho
to 90 mad. remembered that had as
es broken my solemn promise. Ag
overwhelmed you with shame and
49, row, notwithstanding all your kindn
and all your sympathy. The We
criminal on earth never felt grea
misery and degradation, was 8
YOU would never trust me again. )
|. that you would dread to look upon
face. / could see no hope. And W
sE I went into that acoursed place t
seemed so happy, The Wine was tt
to bring iorgetfulness, to drown
ia misery. 1t was before my eyes. CT
=, to my hand. Yet l did not drink.
, thought of you, like the last straw
drowning man, held me back. pus
1t from me. Though I saw heaven
it's depths and hell in my own m
Then Wilson came ant /"
s He could 60 10 farther, emotion C
powered him. Margaret's own