The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-17


You see, / am always ready to improve
everything and everybody but myself.
Which reeds improving sadly" in
terposed Brian, entering at this mo-
ment. Il have scolding for you, Mar
garet. thought"
Il know" answered Margaret, rather
contritely. Il am really very sorry.
Doctor Wilson has excused me, and ]
have promised to do better for the fu-
ture. So no more, please"
No more. That is always your cry
when you need lecture. 'Isee you and
Wilson are friends already. 1 thought
you would be. Effects of kindred tastes.
Where did you walk this afternoon? To
the end Of creation?"
."Oh,.no. Only within the bounds of
New York. / was not gone so very long,
really; but ] decided to go so late
that"
Another inopportune decision. won
der when you are half way to heaven IL
you won't turn back and try the other
place, just to differ from the rest of the
world. Wilson, behold the very incar-
nation of self-wil. Leaving out this
little failing. sho deserves Bertie's eulo-
gies, and l am wonderfully proud of
her."
Very consoling. / thank you, sir.
For reward I'll give you your dinner. /
dare say you are ready for it.
Decidedly, Margaret. had a
wretched lunch and my appetite is now
In primo condition. l wish Wilson would
make like admission just to keep me in
countenance. don't expect much from
you. Shall we progresst"
Il have been telling Mrs. Leigh how
much admire your charming home, "
remarked Wilson when they were COM
fortably seated about the table. Il
have always had prejudice against
converted me-"
Il like them" said Brian, following
Wilson's glance around the room
Much more coy than a house. This
one was my choice, though Margaret
gave me the cue. / must let her have
the credit for all these fixings, however
This room was much more empty when
we first moved in; now it seems real
homelike. 1t is astonishing what q
woman's hands can do.
Astonishing, repeated Wilson, mus
ingly. Don't make me bewail my lone
ly estate moro deeply, l beg Of you.
Think how these delightful rooms COM
pare with my dull quarters. No wonder
you don't care to show yourself there.
You are such stranger that was won
dering to day what you do with your
self"
WHAT" repeated Margaret in her
own mind, while she gave Brian rather
searching glance.
He pretended not to sec 1t, however.
"Oh, I'm around generally" he an
swered rather unsatisfactory. Il don't
find any difficulty in occupying my time.
I'll run in upon you some night. Though
while Margaret is here"
you will be taking her about great
deal, Of course. Under those circum-
stances don't consider me. 1 hope you
like sight seeing, Mrs. Leigh. Other
wise you must find it extremely tire
some. Or perhaps you are one Of those
fortunate individuals whose endurance
is always equal to the emergency
Endurance" repeated Margaret,
starting from her train of thought. DO
you know, Doctor, think endurance is
nothing more than determination or
will. 1t is with me, at least. II / make
up my mind to bear a thing / always
bear it, and if l don't, 1 don't. You
seem amused, Brian. but I'm sure you
can say the same thing IL you would.
When / was child used TO pinch my
arm to see how long could stand the
pain without crying, but a reproving
tap from my old nurse sent me into
spasms Of weeping. That was all will,
you see.'
"All will, repeated Brian. Il thank
you for telling US, Margaret. l can
imagine how you tried that poor old
nurse. What are you intending to illus
trate?'
Simply that our wills have everything
to do with our feelings. DR.. Wilson
wants to know il / find Sightseeing
tiresome. | am afraid / do But like
IL, and so quite forget that the hard
pavements tire my feet most dreadfully,
and that when / ride l M jostled almost
to death. Really, Doctor, you may say
what you please about your wonderful
city, but think its streets are an ever
{ lasting disgrace TO any civilized town. J"
Il have nothing to say in their de-
fense," admitted the Doctor, with u
laugh. "They are had. Does your idea
Of endurance extend to social duties
atsoY"
Eyes, certainly. Why should they be
called duties, / wonder ! have special
distastc for that word. 1t carries with
IL TIC sense Oh ooilSdeiou, oiiV oDhSo
ton Is always d.sagreeable.
"Alwavs2" questioned Wilson, rather
quizzieally. Il dare say you are right.
though. Duty can be most unpleasant.
We are qucerly constituted at best.
Il think we are rather natural. added
Margaret. It isn't to be expected that
we women should like to do what we
feel we ought. Just put must before q
request and lit grows disagreeable i'm
mcdiatcly for me- i might go to ball
and dance all night with araging head
ache. but wouldn't think OF going to
church. in the same condition. I'd be
much too i'll I'm giving you dreadful
example, am / not? Well, can only
advise you to do nsithor asI say nor as
do
Al always thought you religious. Mar
garet.
you have never thought anything OF
the kind" returned Margaret. meeting
Brian's mischievous eyes. why should
YOU think so? !. Simply because I'm
woman. What reason. believe the
world does think religion was made for
women rather than men, though 1t is the
: men who really need it. Poor women
They are Obliged to walk stu and
straiohsin q certain beaten track. -Ihey
paustn't do this, they mustn't 90 that,