The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-22
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ouc 4eit LlMWOOd.
Under other circumstances cho
nave oeen, not precisely hannv Vol ho
cause she was too thorousblv cbi,d IT, e.
nature not to miss, with an inton ,u ~
No" Soulo understand, the restfui
Peacelul influences of her country
. nol,lo. Yet She could have found con-,
uenau !,1 IN this charming little anart-
menu, with its comforts and luxHpn ;a
us situation was convenient and l d.
llgntiul, IN the heart Of the citv e w
rounded by places OF interest 1 ond
amusement, and near the var;ons o,, Inu
time. 0pelo1nS MS
she was In the center Of hustle md
.actlVlty. From her window She conId
near the throbbing pulse of o lifo that
was never still-the ever. so,mdinn
orchestra of a busy city; the might y
roar OF the elevated trains, with tbaiy
n no. whlzzing echoes; the sound Of
the heavy drays passing over the
copclestones; tho lighter rumble Of
carriages, and the long limo of pedes-
tllans, made up an ever moving. ever
changing panorama of human life
nope and ambition, upon which She
gazed with feelings that brought hnr
own loneliness and isolation mora
keenly before her.
How was she to fill the long hours
that must pass before dinncr?" she
asked herself. Should she 60 through
the stores and see the beautiful things
ingly?"
mat was not interesting when one
mad no companions to exchange onin-
ions with. The crowds weariol her
too. She felt so utterly alone amidst
tno pusy throngs, where a friendly
glance seldom, if ever, greeted her. At
home it was so different; there she
could see a familiar face in every
passer-by.
NO, she would not go out to-day, she
decided at last. She would stay at
home and read and try to emulate tho
contentment Of spirit which prompted
Norah under all circumstances to SING
cheerily OVER her work. Yet it was
bright day to spend indoors. The
sun, which always seemed to her preiu-
diced fancy to shine through yellower,
thicker atmosphere, lay warm and
golden on the house tops opposite. It
tempted her with it's cheerincss. But
pshaw! where was the pleasure in walking
sedately over the hard pavernents? How
could that compare with delightful
gallop over the hills at home?
All, those glorious rides! Why couldn't
these tall walls crumble away? Why
couldn't the paved streets, this horrid
noise and din by the touch of some
farry's hand give place to the familiar
hills and fields? Not for long; only for
one day-just one day. How she would
use every hour OF that day.
She would have her usual ride on
Mollie's sleek back. They would can
tel. away through the cool, still morn
ing. She would feel the invigorating
air against her cheek, and the glad
sense OF fresh, new life tingling in her
veins. She would 90 to The Ccdars and
talk with Alice and the Colonel, ana
laugh over Nell's ridiculous nonsense,
and feel so happy. She would run in to
kiss the children as they pressed their
little faces against the rectory window,
and she would find time for few min
utes with Mrs. Martin to ask her how
her rheumatism was, and hear if the
old man had been out since his sickness.
All, there was so much she would do If
she could be at home to-day.
Nanny came in to remove the break
fast things, and she asked twice for the
orders for luncheon and dinner before
Margaret heard her.
Indeed, l don't know" she said, at
last, trying to fix her mind on these
household details. you and Norah ex-
ercise your ingenuity to-day. I'd par
ticularly like nice dinner, as Mr..
Leigh will bring a friend home with
him. Men must be fed, you know, even
if the world goes to pieces. It is their
failing to think more Of their dinners
than anything else, and we have to
humor it. So you and Norah must co
your best"
Quite late in the afternoon Margaret
rather suddenly decided that she could
stand the house no longer. So, prepar-
1AS IclScIl 1Ol d vain, S1lo Was oOOu
upon the street.
When she arrived home it was nearly
dinner time, and secretly upbraidins
herself for staying out so late. she be-
gan to dress as quickly as possible.
Il should be dreadfulIy sorry if DR..
Wilson should come and I not ready to
receive him." she confdcd to her reflec-
ton in the mirror. II shouldn't know
how to excuse myself. Well, it is rather
late, and il they have come I cannot
help it..
When she entered the parlor five
minutes afterwards she found, not Brian,
but tall, fne-looking man who arose
at her approach, with an air of chiv-
airy perfectly in accord with the noble
face.
That face impressed Margaret at once.
Not so much with its beauty Of feature
and expression as with it's tlrmness Of
character, it's strength Of intellect, and
tho ennobling influence which high en-
deavor and strong purpose had left
upon it. Instinctively she felt a quick
ening Of her sympathies and feelings,
an indefinite attraction toward this man,
whose very appearance compelled her
During her scarcely perceptible pause
IN %Lo rcDru.uv ctronrnr with u