The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-29

wish aside.
"Your letters would have brought me.
Margaret. Absence has not leasened
my love for you. want you to feel
that 1t Is always with you, though ]
may DO far away. / was very much
surprised when you told mo you were
leaving Elmwood. I felt that Brian
was ct the bottom Of your reason, and
/ begged heaven to bless my brave
girl. I am SO happy to hear Of Brian's
Improvement, Industry ts certainly o
Concession for him."
Il always hoped for something bet.
tor" Margaret returned, wondering why
she should make her words apologize. |
"Thon, besides, he is my husband, and
there Is less question OF personal feel
ing than Of wlfely duty. There's duty
again. I am growing to detest the
word. l. Oh, Miss Hilton, you are
tired. How thoughtless I ON. In my
selfshness I've quite forgotten what 9
journey you've had. Come; you shall
go right to your room. Then l shall
bring you cup OF tea, and you must
rest until Brian comes. He will DO de-
lighted to see you"
When Brian returned that night he
found Miss Hilton installed in his par-
ticular chair.
Don't be jealous" laughed Mar
garet, after the warm greetings were
over. Il gave Miss Hilton your chair
because she is visitor, and must enjoy
ell the privileges.
"On the principle Of The poor you
have always with yoa,' I auppose.
Don't quote Scripture 80 lightly, you
thoughtless boy" said Miss Hilton. With
smile. Il have been hearing some
good accounts Of you.
Il know who to thank for that, re-
turned Brian, with a grateful glnnce at
Margaret. How long have sou been
here discussing ms?"
Il have been here since early this Of
ternoon, tut we discussed other sub
tects besides you, sir. Margaret has
been telling me budget of news, and ]
have been admiring this delightful lit
| tie home.
All Margaret taste was Brian re:
ply. Y t; Ii you, Miss Hilton, she Is
Wont you come to dinner, pleaseI'
interrupted Margaret at this point.
You'll find that much pore interest
Ing sub Get for discussion
When Brian returned home next even.
ing he found Miss Hilton alone.
1--WE have spent the afternoon In
shopp n.y." she explained, and tho ex.
perience proved too much for MGR
earet, 50 sent her away to rest before
dinner. She will be In presently, and
meantime you must put UP with my
company"
Il am not dlsp!eased at the prospect,
he responded, lightly, though On ans-
ious expression settled over his face.
u am becoming seriously worried
about Margaret, he added, more grave
ly. Don't YOU think she is looking
rather ill?"
"shs doesn't seem particularly we'll.
I fear she finds this sp!ing weather
trying, Her case is not difficult to
diagnose, however, and the medicine
she most requi, es is-Elmwood. "
The old lady gave Brian searching
look as she gave expression to this opin.
ion. He bore it without tIinching anc
answered. with scarcely moments hes
itatioD:
You are light. I have thought th4
samo. She ehall go to Elmwood as sooI
as possible. -.
Miss Hilton shook her head, Will
thoughtful gravity. >,
That won't do, Brian. Such half
way method would be as effective 81
taking only one part of seidlitz. Yo'
must see this in its proper light, u.
dear boy. Margaret should not maxi
, all the sacrifices.
~she shall make no moro. was tn
impulsive answer. i see 1t all now
. When she goes to Elmwood I 60 wit
| her.
= "To stay, hope. Otherwise"
"Yes, Miss Hilton, to stay. l hav
:, been sufficiently negleotful and brutal
Now have turned over new leaf all
+ / am determined that my future sha
= be worthy of her husband. kay
4 much to make up.
u aNow recognize the real Brian, On
a swered Miss Hilton, with smiling eyes
i Il have always been confident that ;
= would show himself some dey. / OIL
y very glad to see him.
4 III be lives at oil, returned Brial
"a with unusua., feeling, it is to Ma
- earet's credit Her trust gave him lif
~ and her influence led him on. as yc
& cannot understand ths depths to whic
II had sunk, neither can you realize
"a what extent she has proved my salv
II ton, Had her nature been less nobl
~ less generous, less pure than It Is,
at could not love her as l do, and-he
10 she is to hear mo soy So
~. And to thank you for such ewe
a words" added Margaret. Brian, ha'
7 you been home very long? I thong
d. should be here before you came, b
~ my eyes would not stay open, and Il
m time went so fast
NJ III you are rested sha'n't regret 1t
a9 returned Brien, drawing her unresis
IN ingly to the chair beside him. Il 6
"a glao those refractory eyes compel
your obedience, even though they d
T. privel me OF your company. In yc
IA absence Miss Hilton has made hers
na vastly entertaining. We have been e
nv changing ideas. See how she Plies ba
tx In my chair, which she takes witht
,ar the least conjunction, and smiles
re-. something / have told her. wonder
~, It won't make you smile, too. We y
de try the experiment after dinner"
~ But after dinner Wilson made his {
'' pearance and Margaret forgot all e
in her effort that he and Miss Hill
no should have ample opportunity to
and admire each other.
+Ao ETo BE Continued
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