The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-01

| G4aA 49, i
l~ ~F AZ
(T~lygy QAMe90a J
S.. CHAPTER XIV-Contlnued.
When Margaret reached home after
her ride, during which her thoughts had
not ceased to dwell upon her late bitter
knowledge. she found that Brian had
arrived.
Relieved at the Intelligence, yet feel
Ing the lmposslh!llty Of meeting him IN
her then, state OF mind, she determined
to feign a headache. Indeed her I'M
aglnation was not geatly exercised Tor
this end as q dull pain In her temples
gave reality to her excuse.
II Brian had known the moment OF her
arrival she would not have escaped so
easily, but he was in the library at the
time, and Margaret was thus enabled to
reach the welcome seclusion OF her owr
room, from which safe retreat she l1s-
tsned for any chance sound that might
reach her ears.
Nanny had assured her that Brian had
been made comfortable, and she also
confided that he looked paler than usual
and had been asking every i've minutes
II Margaret had returned. :.
THE old refrain, thought Margaret,
with q sigh. He can spend days away
from me without regret, but II leave
/ him q minuts here he complains.
Nanny was sent with the message
that Margaret was indisposed, and
hoped he would excuse her for tonight.
She returned with few lines that
Brian had soribbled on the ly-leal OF
book.
Dear Margaret" they began, I am
SO sorry you are not we'll. Let me
come up and sit with you. I promise to
DO very quiet, and my presence cannon
hurt you. / miss you 30 much. IL is
dull down here, with only my thoughts
for company. My miserable thoughts
Let mo see you, If only for five ,linutes,
Margaret. I am eating my dinner all
alone"
All alone! Poor Brian!
Let him see her, If only for five min
utes." A simple request, easily grant
ed, and yet even five minutes was more
than she could bear tonight. And &c
she answered the note. She thanked
him for his sympathy. Her illness was
nothing more than headache, fol
which quiet was the best medicine
She could not see him tonight, though
she was sorry he was lonely. Sht
had eaten her dinner alone for two
weeks.
And Brian read these written words
but he could not read between the lines
CHAPTER XIV.
HARaAREr p1scovEBs HEB NEED or CHANGE
Margaret could not make her headach
serve her another day without arousin
suspicion, so she was forced to come
breakfast next morning, where Oh
found Brian before her. he greeted he
? with warmth that expressed a variet
OF emotions, while she endeavored
9 show no change in her manner towar
him.
Il hope the headache has quite gone,
' he said, taking his cup Of coffee from hi
hand.
yes, entirely. she answered; i fe
quite we'll this morning."
X Her appearance belied her words, AT
80 Brian thought as he regarded NJ
rather intently from his end OF the t.
BILE. Then constrained silence fe
between them. Margaret searched h
mind for some remark. She found notl
Ing but the question which she regre
ted as soon as 1t had passed her lips.
did you enjoy yourself3"
=. A change passed over his face, and
l. answered with an embarrassed air:
Perhaps you wouldn't call 1t EMO
ment, Margaret. don't know. Som
o. times wish could think and act Ii
you do. would at least be spared t
D. misery Of regret, and I daresay l wou
be happier"
Indeed you would" she interpose
quickly. Not to think and act as
a. precisely. do not mean that. OF cours
because could never set myself up
an example; but II you would OF
be different. II you would not do
things which bring regret"
THAT is easily said, Margaret.
OK should DO perfeotif that were the cas-
:or am unfortunate in the possession OF
or discontented nature. and 1t can't be "
ev helped now. believe people are b<
Ith to certain things, and l am born
lM nothing. There's Wilson. was ia
nal ing to him the other day. He's go
fellow, but crank in his way. c
I'D him natural doctor. Takes to 1t lik
,rd duck to water, and Is in his elemt
,rd when he's tending lot OF sick, di
nd children. OF course people adm
ard those things; call him noble, unself
T.. and all that. Well, I do, too. Ye'
can't do what he does. I'm Of differ
caliber. I suppose. Some time ago
w. told me he could get me In hospi
It was splendid opening, no dot
and any number Of fellows were hun
!. for 1t. So told him I'd be charita
and let some other poor devil have
He couldn't understand my refu
why? Because his ideas and ha
YES are different from mine. I am sorr
ives is so"
And am sorry you have thr.
le1- away 80 many advantages, Brian.
ays really a shame. can have no pate
On with you.
an Brian was silent under this outbu
Margaret's ideas might be right in
to abstract, but he had no desire to p
ces, tioally apply them to himself.
"You blame me for very com
. falling, he said after moment. III
arc any number OF men in New York
day who have no business OF any X
They are well-to-do, of course. and
find plenty to fill their time. Il
n however, it lis different. There are NJ
n versions, and one
VI Must 90 to the city to seek them