The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-07-21
CHAPTER VII.

A MORNING TIDE
Brian saw Margaret returning. ant
putting down the book he had been try.
ing to read, he went into the hall t.
meet her. depressing her nervousness
at his unexpected appearance, she
paused as he came up to her with the
words:
you have been SO long, Margaret
Did you enjoy your visit so much? Why
didn't you let those people wait, and
give mo just a little of your company
l haven't much chance. 1 am going
away tomorrow.
ITO morrow" She grasped her raised
skirt more tightly, but no further com.
ment escaped her lips.
Taking this for indifference, Brian
continued, after brief pause: Il dare
say l shall never see you again. OF
course you will not regret that, but be-
fore go. should like to know that you
forgive me. If you only knew how I
have suffered! If you could realize how
I still suffer, you would be kinder 1t
is so hard to lose all, Margaret"
Have been so unkind? I am sorry.
Have l not told you that I regret,
with bitterness l cannot express, the
conditions which make me mistress
here? If there is any way"
He interrupted her with passionate
reproach. "You do me injustice. Do
you suppose I was abiding to the
money? I hate the very mention of it.
l leave it out of the question. l am
thinking Of you"
She tapped her foot with her riding
whip, and despite the effort to control
her countenance, an incredulous ex-
preston passed over it.
"You don't beleTe me-" he cried
passionately. "We!l, deserve that at
your hands, but truth is truth. The
very sight of your kindness to others
maddens me. see low they are favored,
and l remember your hardness to me.
l envy the very children who speak to
you as you pass. They can be happy
without your love. I cannot. You need
not look your dislike, I feel it. am
destined to offend you so much since 1
saw you in that place, where only my
evil fate led me, that feel no sacrifice
could be too great for your sake"
Isn't the sensation novel one?" she
asked, steeled to hardness by some in
ward remembrance. II believe we
agreed to leave me out OF the question. 3"
Brian ground his heel with an ex-
olamation of Impotence. 1T is useless
to hope" he answered bitterly. "YCu
will never forget. Hate me if you will,
but do not show such contcmptuous in
difference.
ic ,o4 oh 40 =, L,4 e.
getfulness does not come so easily as we
might wish"
No., he replied, stung to lie ,oinder.
I have something to remember, too"
She paled perceptibly.
You are generous, was her passion
ate answer. Now perhaps you will
allow me to pass.
"Ah, no! Margaret, not yet. I can't
see you 90 from me so. Forgive me for
what just said. l meant nothing. l
spend half my time in regrctting what
has gone before l cannot stand your
anger. Why is all the gentleness in
your nature turned against me only?"
Il do not know" she answered, half
absently, while her face softened visi-
bly,. Have you anything to ask me?"
Nothing that you will grant; unless,
perhaps, it is permission to ride with
you tomorrow. Will you allow me that
pleasure?"
"Iride early" she answered with hest
tation, but if you care to forego your
morning nap have no objection.
THANK you. You will see how glad
ly I'll forego that morning nap"
Il really didn't expect to see yCu,"
Margaret confessed, when they were
both in the saddle next morning. Il
thought"
How could you doubt me?" he inter-
rupted, with some reproach. Il am only
too happy to take advantage of this last
chance to spend little while with you.
I'll soon be out of your life entirely. l
find it hard to tear myself away"
He sighed. His sigh was echoed
close beside him, but Margaret's face
was impenetrable.
What a glorious morning." she re-
marked rather irrelevantly. I'VE shall
have delightful ride"
Are you so fond of riding" he asked,
noting her high color and flashing eyes.
"Passionately. I feel so light-hearted
when am in the saddle. An hour like
this is particularly inspiriting. l love
the GOODNESS and the restful quiet, and l
love the fresh morning air"
"You love the night air, too"
Her face flushed at the words.
Il suppose you heard me in the gar
den last night?" she said, bending her
head with the pretext of untanglng her
horses name. TIE night was perfect,
and I couldn't withstand the tempta-
ton. I hope you will not speak of it
to Miss Hilton. She may begin to
worry her dear head about me, when
really l was only nervous and wake
full.
And you adopted that plan for WOO
ing sleep? Couldn't you have found a
moro prundent and more effectual
one?"
Il hate prudence" she broke in, with
a suspicion OF Impotence; "in fact,
revel in imprudence,
1--WE had ample proof of that, was
his tranquil reply why didn't you lei
me play Esculap.us, if only to vindicate
my diploma, you know"
THE idea didn't suggest itself to me
and don't believe I'd care to be ex'
perimented on, anyway. A diploma
isn't guarantee Of ability, you know.
"No one can accuse you of kissing tbs
barney stone,' he returned, rather
grim1y. Sometimes | begin to feal
you are too truthful.
4No one can be that. There is The
Cedara. No one about ! suppose Col
Barton is an old friend of yoars?"
IF knowing me since l was knee.
high 10 a erasshopper implies friend
ship he and | must be lirst-rate chuns
don't fancy In an especial fayorIst