The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-08
AW0MAN5 INF LUENCE
the Colonel had promised her as when
she left Elmwood.

nature not to miss, with an intensity
few could understand, the r%estful,
peaceful influences of her country
home. Yet she could have found con-
tentment in this charming little apart
ment, with its comforts and luxuries.
It's situation was convenient and de-
lightful, in the heart of the city, sur
rounded by places Of interest and
amusement, and zeal the various clubs,
where Brian was fond Of spending his
time.
She was In the center Of hustle and
activity. From her window she could
hear the throbbing pulse Of q life that
was never still-the ever sounding
orchestra Of a busy city; the mighty
roar Of the elevated trains, with their
noisy, whizzing echoes; the sound Of
cobblestones; the lighter rumble of
carriages, and the long line Of pedes-
TRANS, made up an ever moving, ever
changing, panorama OF human lfe'
hope and ambition, upon which she
gazed with feelings that brought her
own loneliness and isolation more
keenly before her.
How was she to fill the long hours
that must pass before dinner2" she
asked herself. Should she 60 through
the stores and see the beautiful things
the shop windows displayed so tempt
ingly?"
That was not interesting when one
had no companions to exchange opin-
ions with. The crowds wearied her,
too. She felt so utterly alone amidst
the busy throngs, where a friendly
glance seldom, il ever, greeted her. At
home 1t was so different; there she
could see a familiar face in every
passer-by.
No, she would not go out to-day, she
decided at last. She would stay at
home and read and try to emulate the
contentment Of spirit which prompted
Norah under all circumstances to sing
cheerily over her work. Yet it was
a bright day to spend indoors. The
sun, which always seemed to her preju-
diced fancy to shine through a yellower,
thicker atmosphere, lay warm and
golden on the house tops opposite. It
tempted her with it's cheeriness. But,
pshaw! where was the pleasure in walking
sedately over the hard ~payements? How
could that compare with a delightful
gallop over the hills at home?
All, those glorious rides! Why couldn't
these tall walls crumble away? Why
couldn't the paved streets, this horrid
noise and din by the touch Of some
farry's hand give place to the familiar
hills and fields? Not for long; only for
one day-just one day. How che would
use every hour Of that day!
She would have her usual ride on
Mollie's sleek back. They would can
ter way through the cool, still morn
ing. She would feel the invigorating
air against her cheek, and the glad
sense of fresh, new life tingling in her
veins. She would 60 to The Cedars and
talk with Alice and the Colonel, and
! ! laugh over Nell's ridiculous nonsense
. and feel so happy. She would run in tt
kiss the children as they pressed theil
little faces against the rectory window
, and she would find time for q few min
utes with Mrs. Martin to ask her how
her rheumatism was, and hear If the
F, old man had been out since his sickness
t All, there was SO much she would do i
she could be at home to-day.
Nanny came In to remove the break
: fast things, and she asked twice for tn,
orders for luncheon and dinner befor
Margaret heard her.
Y Indeed, 1 don't know" she said, a
last, trying to fix her mind OF thes
household details. "You and Norah ex
ercise your ingenuity to-day. I'd par
n ticularly like a nice dinner, as MI
8 Leigh will bring a friend home wit
him. Men must be fed, you know, eve
if the world goes to pieces. It is thei
q failing to think more of their dinner
than anything else, and we have t
humor it. So you and Norah must d
your best"
Quite late in the afternoon Margart
y rather suddenly decided that she coul
y stand the house no longer. So, prepal
g ing herself for a walk, she was SOC
n upon the street.
When she arrived home it was nearl
dinner time, and secretly upbraidir
herself for staying out so late, she b.
gan to dress as quickly as possible.
!, Il should be %dreadfully sorry II D
= Wilson should come and I not ready
. receive him" she conlded to her refle
y 10 tion in the mirror. Il shouldn't kno
J, how to excuse myself. Well, 1t Is rath'
. late, and II they have come ! cam
T halp it,"
when she entered the parlor fl
minutes afterwards she found, not Bria
~ but a tall, ~fne-looking man who arc
- at her approach, with an air Of chi
~ airy perfectly in accord with the mob
face.
r. That face impressed Margaret at one
y Not SO much with it's beauty Of featu
and EXPRESSION as with It's frmness
~ character, it's strength Of intellect, al
= the ennobling influence which high Q
~ deavor and strong purpose had Il
y upon 1t. Instinctively she felt a quic
7 ening OF her sympathies and feeling
an indefinite attraction toward this mi
whose very appearance compelled b
admiration.
~ During her scarcely perceptible pau
In the doorway. the stranger, with
swift but critical glance, had taken in I
sweet face and giIlish form. Then
~ started forward with the half questie
4 half assertion:
h Mrs. Leigh? l am o mistaken.
She held out her hand with a smile
welcome.
Ith No, you are not mistaken she ga
n with the easy, gracious manner Il
ad made her personality 81 winning.
III am Mrs. Leigh, and you are DR.. "
ly. son, / know. I am very glad to m,
so you, and doubly glad to welcome you
es. my home, because I really cannot I
as that you are a stranger, but rather
ere old friend whom l have heard OF a
rk, talked Of SO often"
Dis, Her words gratifed him very much
ZEN You honor me too highly" he
ten swered. pressing the hand she ofe,
him. L be numbered among =
,ly friends is a privilege I esteem m
deeply. Brian and I have b.