The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-03-27

meeting those OF Margaret Smith,.
Incapable Of speech, he could only
stare upon the seeming apparition, while
Miss Hilton gazcd holplessly from his
disturbed face to MGrgarets cold, i'm
penctrable one.
Only Margaret was equal to the occa.
sion. She had prepared herself for this
mooting, and advancing toward Brian
with eusy sclf-possessioN, though with
al air and expression that told OF re-
membrance, sho took his hand, saying
in rather conventional tones:
You are welcome to Elmwood, Cousin
Brian, though hope you need no words
Of mine to assure you Of that. I must
beg your pardon for my lato appear
ance. Miss Hilton gave you my excuse,
and | am sure her presence more than
compensated for my absence"
Brian tried to make some intelliSiblo
answer, but he was not very successful.
Margaret was amply revcnged.
He wondered it revenge had bcen her
object in bringing him here. Just now
he was willing to believe anything.
Margaret saw his inquiring glance,
and probably guessed his thought. She
bowed her head, while deep flush
passed over her face. Then, turning
abruptly with the announcement that
dinner was served, she led the way to
the dining room
The many excellent dishes failed to
tempt Brian's appetite. While he found
himself unable to penetrate Margaret's
object in conccaling her identity from
him, he had an unpleasant remembrance
OF their last meeting, the despicable
part he had played, and the contempt
she had manifested toward him.
Miss Hilton watched him narrowly.
She was mucl. mystifed, but with an
lntultive sense that something was
wrong, she made laudable efforts to re-
lleve the strained condition of things by
introducing various subjects of CONVEX
sat;on.
Margaret seconded her ably, but Brian
answered in monosylIables. It was
relief to him, if not to all parties, when
dinner came to an end, and they at last
repaired to the rarlors, where, as soon
as politeness permitted, Brian excused
himself on the plea Of fatigue and sought
the welcome solitude Of his room.
Come, Miss Hilton" cried Margaret
when they were alone, lot US go to our
sittingroom. 1t is ever so much more
coy than these bare parlors. Don't you
think so:'
She did not wait for an answer, but
hurried OFF to the room in question.
where Miss Hilton, following moro
slowly, found her ensconccd in the
depths of large rocking chair, bending
closely over a book which she was hold
ing upside down.
Tell me all about it," said the old
lady, gently taking the book from her
hands and placing it Oh the table. "You
know we agreed to have no secrets from
each other. You and Brian have met
leforc tonight.
Yes" answered Margaret, slowly
buying her face in her hands, "and, oh,
Miss Hilton, did not think the day
would ever come when I should feel so
thoroughly humbled. | had rather beg
in the streets than feel, my sense OF
obligation to him. He thinks me capa-
bic OF STOPPING to seek revenge. He
thinks ! am enjoying the money he has
lost, but, ali, if he knew what bitter hui
its possession is to me, he
could wish no swceter revenge
Revenge, Margaret? You talk Wild
ly, my dear child. I'm afraid that trip
to S'conset did you more harm than
good. can very safely say that such
an idea has not entered Brian's mind"
Perhaps not, replied Margaret, mis-
erahly. Il do not think he is revenge
full, but | will tell you the whole
story, Miss Hilton. How We met, and
what passed between us, and then you
can understand how circumstances have
made my old regret more bitter"
Then, with her head on Miss Hilton's !
shoulder, and her haAd clasped in that |
Of the dear friend WHO had never failed |
her in any difficulty, Margaret told of
the meeting on the beach at S'consct,
of the long and pleasant hours of a
close companionship, and of the inter-
view which marked an epoch in two
lives
Miss Hilton listened quietly, and if |
she guessed what was left untold, she
gave no hint. She talked to Margaret |
in her easy, gentle way. She said all |
that was possible in Brian's favor, but
her words were Intellectual
in changing Margaret's ideas, and she
to herself with sigh that
the unfortunate meeting had been a
'ontrotemps indeed, and a severe if not
I fatal blow to her crushed hopes.
TO BE CONTINUED.