The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-25
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST rs, 1897.

her sight the shame and disgrace that
was actually touching her life. Why
had it never occurred to her beforep
Why had she not guessed that, While
she passed her thoughtless, unthinking
days in the safety of her own home, he
was following path of ruin amid the
gilded temptations Of New York? How
much Of the blame would lie at her door,
and what would be the end2 All! those
bitter questions, with Their more bitter
possibilities!
Before her mind rose the memory OF
a solemn moment and the never-forgot-
ten words:
Don't forget Brian. Be good to him
for my sake.
Did che need such memories to make
her realize that now as never before
his future, his destiny rested in her
hands? She could not sit here and wait
quietly for Alice nor could she be found
here by either Berthe or the Colonel:
She must leave the house unobseryed II
possible.
Alas! it was not possible. Scarcely
had she reached the hall than BERTHE,
leaving the library at the same moment,
came suddenly upon her.
Margaret, he said, starting at sight
of her. you here2 I did not know.
You are in trouble. You are i'll. Tell me.
"Heart-sick, BERTHE, only heart-sick. "
she returned, with half-sobbing
breath, while she caught at the door
for support. II came 10 see Alice. She
is out; l cannot wait longer.
You have been waiting then,' he
questioned, quite bewildered by her
strange manner. Margaret, he add
cd, with sudden revation, you heard. ;"
"Yes," she answered, lowering her
eyes before his plying glance. i was
in there and heard all. did not know
before"
"Poor child" he said, with unusual
gentleness. IF Brian could only see
you now. I wish could have told you
less abruptly. 1t was cruel. Father
will be SO sorry. Let me bring him
here. He might comfort you, Mar
garet."
Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned
rather heavily against the stairway.
mo, BERTHE, no one can do that. 1t is
impossible, impossible. / think his
sympathy would be very hard to bear
now. Don't pity me. Advise me. ]
feel so helpless. Have you known-lons?
Why has God sent me this - this
trouble?"
It was hard for Bcrtie to meet this
inquiry calmly.
Not for any desert Of yours, he
said, rather huskily. "You ask me it
have known long. I'm afraid must
say YES. The first time I saw Brian
not HIMSELF am hurting you.
mo. Go on, please. Tell me all. Il
can make very little difference now"
Il was surprised and shocked.
thought of you and talked to Brian
He promised to do better. believe M
intended to, and I think he tried, bu
his resolutions are weak and easll!
broken. Do you remember the day
nat you in the road and you remarked
upon my long face? 1t was the da.
before Brian left on this last visit.
dreaded the result for him, and deter
mined to tell you all and let your per
[ suasions influence him. But, Margaret
when saw your face my heart faile
' me, and I allowed the opportunity t
l slip. Yet you can remember how ear
nest was in begging you to use you
t influence to keep Brian at home. Her
the temptation seems to have no powe
S over him I think your presence mus
be the cause. Unfortunately, though
t he loves the allurements OF city life
e And you are not there. U
h "No, but shall be, returned Maj
: garet, lifting her grateful eyes to his
"Thank you for showing me the way:
| 30, nh fnt
/ returned, sadly. Il wish l could do
9 thousand times more for you. Ii Brla
n is not content to stay with you at Elm
wooe, the next best thing is for you
# be with him in New York. 1t will be
n gain for him, but leaving your HON
8 will be heavy sacrifice for you. D
: you fell called upon to make it"
He looked kindly in her face, but b
O found no hesitation there.
}; "A hundred times, if necessary" 81
@ Responded. Il had not thought of Thu
q part, and cannot speak Of it yet. Wi
It you see that John brings my horse? All
remember me to Alice and your fathe
s. please"
q keep up brave heart, he said,
l. helped her on her horse few momen
q later, "and don't forget me if you net
" a friend, though heaven grant you new
4, may"
l. Margaret nodded. She could n
l. speak, and pressing her hand with syr
pathetic warmth, BERTHE watched h
1T ride away, and then went In to recon-
ID to his father all that had passed betwe'
l. them.
s. This served to increase the old gentl
n. mans indignation at what he call
Ill Brians despicable conduct.
While BERTHE talked he paced t
e. room, alternately praising Margar
n whom he loved like daughter, and co
demning Brian, who, in his estimate
n, had been false alike to the highest pr
d. ciple of manhood and to the honor a
r. respect due to his wife.
it fro DE CONTINUED.
is