The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-22
ALEXANDRIA. LA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER u, 1897.

NH. Ultl L5 SJiIVJ HA1AlS 1hSophSAS Va
any practical decision. When he Or
rived In front OF the Hoffman House he
ran ucross Wilson, and feeling rather
glad Of this chance encounter he greeted
him warmly. IL
This is really the first moment !
could coll my own to-day" declared
Wilson, taking O cigar from the case
Bertio offered him. Where is your
d~est!nat:on;"
Il was just trying to Decide" was
Dertie's answer. i dropped in to see
Margaret, and l haven't recovered from
the shock her appearance gave me yet.
I never saw her look more wretchci and
i'll, though I am inclined to think the
cause Is not entirely physical.
NO, Other Influences at work. How
die you leave herr
Alone" was the sententious reply.
Alone repeated Wilson. "Ihen'
BriaD-?"
is off disgracing himself" responded
BERTHE with much anger. lie ought to
be thrashed.
Wilson'S face grew very grave:
Il had hoped things might be better,
he said, with q sigh.
They will never be better. l De.
lieve Brian has lost his last grain OF
manhood He Is worse than q coward.
If he had a heartless, selfish wife there
might BIO some reason, though never an
excuse for his actions. But 0 there
Is absolutely nothing that n AN say
for him. He is simply breaking Nor
garet's heart. If you had seen her q
year age you could realize what q
change these last months have wrought
in her. It Is his doing; all his doing.
After sho has left her home, her friends,
and all she loves, for his sake. MY
heart swells with Indignation at the
thought. I know how she loves Elm
wood, and d:slikes Now York. Yet
after all this, she'll continue to talk OF
duty. Women are enigmas; l give
them up. I'd like to thrash Brian,
though. 1t might possibly do him
good"
i can't understand him." remarked
Wilson, half absently. -.
"No, nor can any one else. He doesn't
seem worth the understanding, III
have to find him somehow, and send
him home. I cant bear the thought OF
Margaret waitingi In such anxious dread,
not knowing whether he Is tumbl1ng
about in the gutter or disgracing him
self In some other way. Are we at your
quarters already? How fast we must
have walked! No; I can't come in to-
night. Some other time, old fellow
I'll have to make the round Of the club
houses, 1 dare say. Well, goodnight.
Berthe did not find Brian, as he hat
! expected, in any Of his probable haunts
, though he went to them all, anxiously
. examined the sea OF faces, and ever
: questioned the waters and attendants
Rather disheartened after this vail
y search, he scarcely knew where to g
: next. In his dilemma, he was In tn
, act Of turning a street corner when tn
full glare Of the street lamps falling
a upon Q figure in front Of him reveale'
a something very familiar in its outlines
y Brian" he said, under his breath
Yes, Brian-walking with the uncertain
:. gait that only confirmed his fears. II
. thought Of Margaret, and angry indig
a nation overpowered him; but this sam
. thought brought another, and under it
' impulse he managed to control himself
With a few hasty strides he wat b
Brian's side. and, placing his han
q rather heavily upon his shoulder, b
4 asked, roughly:
u Where are you going? Come home!
~ Homer" repeated Brian, startled int
. understanding and shrinking unde
" Bertie's glance. Homo to face hel
q Never. 4 few days ago I promised he
- / would not touch another drop. Yei
~ promised. A farce, wasn't it? Solemn
+ promised. You see me tonight. q
+ home, you say. Go home to see N
- shrink from me! To see her blush IL
" me! To 500 All, heavens, no."
- These words made no impression Q
% Berthe.
" Don't add villainy to cowardice,
- said, with flashing eyes. Come, l sa,
"a II you have no self-respect, rememb
- her, and have at least the decency
hide your disgrace under your own roc
ia You shall not break her heart; you sha
IN not ruin her life. I'll shoot you first,
ia Ruin her life," echoed Brian, buryil
his face In his hands. my God, l d
!. not intend to ruin her life."
Ill BERTHE said no more Perhaps ev
he felt some pity for Brlan's evide
~ agony, or perhaps he feared that wor
E. now would express too much OF the q
~ ger which burned within him. The
are men who con never understand t
depths to which others can fell.
" Quite silent he walked by Brian, a.
Wv only left him when the door had clos
ID upon him.
~ From her own room Margaret hea
w the f~altering step, and knew that Bri
Nv ~ had come, but eve the great relief
w this knowledge did not bring her slet
All night she tossed restlessly, her MI
lis a prey to miserable doubts and hopelt
longings, and when morning came !
GIT face told Its W story.
! u (TO BE CONTINUED.