The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-06-23
CHAPTER lII-Continued.

your WISH W NC liz VI lit, DuV nave 10
desire to spend the day in those hem
coops. There's the sun now. Blessed
sight! I'm going to move this shawl up
there where it is dryer May l? 1t is
positively suicidal to sit here. II you
should be Ill, I'll have to act as Escu-
lapius, for there isn't man Of pills and
squills in the whole village, I'm told
So be warned in time.
1T will be more prudent, no doubt, "
admitted Margaret. allowing him to
move the shawl in question, but we
can't see the waves go we'll.
That's no great loss. We know they
are there, which is just as good. Do
you know, I've been thinking of you all
night. Really, had a strange dream
in which you seemed to be leading me,
and some influence compelled me to fol-
low. Don't look, skeptical, please, and
say nonsense. It was all very real, [
assure you One Of those old men
called you Miss Margaret. Please tell
me if that is your name? I have quite a
curiosity to know
your curiosity is easily satisfied. My
name is Margaret"
Thanks. I've always had an odd
fancy for the name. 1t seems to mean
so much. 1t is her name, too. Curious,
isn't it,"
Not at all," responded Margaret
promptly. The name is common
enough, dare say"
Perhaps. I like it, nevertheless, /
only wish she were like you"
Margaret moved impatiently, and re-
Piled with q SUSPICION Of petulance:
I'm like myself and no one else.
Variety is the spice Of life;' so please
don't compare me with any unknown
she's.
ooh, this ones tolerable enough" he
reioined, and smart, too, dare say.
Sizes managed to feather her nest at
my expense. Perhaps she's gloating
over me at this very moment.
How can you say that?" asked Mar
garet, with some warmth. "You have no
right to Judge people that way. She
may hate the very sight of the money.
Money! repeated Brian, In some
surprise. Il said nothing abent money.
NO" she returned, thoroughly angry
with herself; but am sure money has
something to do with the injury you
speak of. I know she isn't so hateful
as you think her. 1t is neither just mol
right to condemn her unheard."
He laughed at her earnestress. -
suppose she isn't bad sort, he ad-
mitted, pulling at some seaweed beside
him. Il don't see why you take such
an interest in her, though.
al - Il;
II speak in general terms, she re-
piled, unable to meet his searching
glance. Il simply say you have no righ
to assume certain things, and l wish
you would not run people down in my
presence, especially when don't know
them, and cannot take their part. I hate
it; 1t is against my principles, and it's
contemplate besides.
She rose to her feet and walked away
in some excitement, already regrettine
her childish warmth.
Tell me about it, she added. i'm
periously, returning to her old place
what did your cousin do?"
Another mistake. She bit her lips a.
the word cousin escaped her, but for
tunately Brian had not noticed it.
"Do?" he echoed, still regarding he
with an amazed expression. she didn'
do anything. Only my father happened
to think so much of her and 20 little o
me that he left her fortune and me
beggarly income to starve on. No u.s.
living without money either. But II
forgive her if she marries me, and
dare say she will.
The confidence Of this assertion wa
too much for Margaret.
Didn't I understand you to say 70,
had never met her?" she asked, in
voice unnaturally quiet and full Of scorn
that made no impression upon him.. ii
replied in the most imperturbable man
ner.
"No, i haven't seen her, that's true
but / dare say she'll make good wife
| and"
These words further enraged Mar
garet.
How dare you," she cried, withou
giving him chance to complete hi
sentence. Il never heard Of such un
paralleled impudence in my life. l dare
say you consider your charms so over
whelming that every woman must b
overcome by the bare sight Of them.
l were your cousin you would very 500
discover your mistake. A conceited ma
is the very abomination of desolation.
"You show your contempt very freely
returned Brian, not overpleased wit
her remarks. If I suggest. the idea
my cousins marrying me it is becaus
of tho circumstances. Father wouI
have liked it, know. Perhaps he ha
the idea in his head when he made h
will"
Margaret grew paler at these words
but she did not answer.
And don't you know" Brian cor
tinued, with spice Of malice, as
turned lazily In his effort to see h
face, a man can marry any woman L
chooses, provided he goes about it Il
right way. No woman can withstan
constant, enduring affection.
Constant, enduring tiddlesticks." We
the contemptuous reply. mo dou'
your knowledge of woman, her natu1
and capacities, is deep and profoun
but pray spare me your wisdom on tt
subject, or I may be tempted, like Aul
sukey, to jaw back. I dare say yo'
constant, enduring affection is anoth
variety of constant hanging on. | wou
despise a man eternally around m
Please don't laugh so loud. I'm n
trying to be amusing.
NO, I'll wager not. Tell me VIII
sort of man you do like. An Admiral
Criehton, with every virtue under Il
s1,npn