The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-04-24
1t is very we'll to say that while your

lace IS covered, my dear, but Fortunately
l know Sou don't mean it. Ny bird has
oeeh SO coquctt:sh and mocke; me with
30 many Sweet songs, that I am glad to
+; see her caSed at last. Now, as she per-
alslent.y refuses to unclosc her ewes to
TIC b>aaty OF my countcnaDcc. T shall
hands,"
This threat he promptly carried out.
Dlsre@ar!nS her resistance, he lifted
hcr blushing face until he could look
into her dropping eyes. Then,.aopar-
entity satisfied with his long, intent
gaze, nc dew her closer to him, and
Kissed her unresistins lips with grave
tenderness.
Alice, | was right; you do like me a
little"
A half hour later, Alice suggested the
aivlsatllity Of returning to tho Colonel.
Berthe acqui"sced reluctantly.
Come in, called the old gentleman.
as they hesitatcd at the door.
Low many miles did you have to
! travel to find Alice? You've been gone
Just th!rty-live minutes, but I'll forgive
You. Tnink yea vo gotten ahead of the
Old man, ch: y outin't have II wife of
my choosing? On, no. Wanted. an Old
mare to your liking. Humph, You
empty pate. you're got the very girl l
I picked out Tor you. Thin l have Ia ste,
! eh? Well, she'll lead you /; dance. She's
got the devils own temper, ana you're
about her equal. sir"
I am yoUr soI, was the imperturba-
| Die reply.
| Yes, yes. Ioholya think it, though.
| You'll never have Your fathers sense,
boy. Come here, you little coguettc,
ana KISS your uncle. And, BERTHE, you
scamp, il you don't give her everything
she wants, I'll shoot you. Now clear
cut, both of you. You addle my bewii-
! dered BRAIN"
An clear out They did, with alacrity.
! During tho days that followed Mar
garct and Alice saw great deal of each
! other, but this constant companionship
was fraught more Of pain than of pleas
ure to Margaret, for the happy content
ment which filled Al;ce's heart Knocked
her with the knowledge of something
wanting in her own life. The pain was
hidden in her own heart, but her doubts
and fears found outward expression in
nervous restlessness, lack Of definite
purpose and lownoss Of spirits. Many
times did she reproach herself severely
for allowing such feelings to influence
her: but, do what she would, she could
not Danish the vague pain with which
she looked forward to the future. 1T is
not that am unhappy she told her.
! self, but it is the possibility Of what
lies before me.
One evening, during one Of Brian's
periodical visits ID l.!mwood, she went
With him TO take dinner at The Ccdars.
ShO found the evening thoroughly en-
! joyable, and for the time being she laid
! aside her depression ana was in bril-
liant spirits. The Colonel, whose vein
was particularly happy, kept her by his
! side and made himself especially en-
PERTAINING.
You needn't be jealous" he said to
Brian, you'll enjoy all her sweetness
| presently. No hope for us old fellows.
I }on young ones manage to shine us
! down and the girls like your handsome
faces and forget your empty heads.
/ Brian joined in the laugh raised at his
expense, but when his eye met Margaret g
he was both surprised and lerplexed at
, its peculiar expression.
! During the ride hOmeho found her gay
! spirits lad given way to a moody ST.
lence, which he tried several times to
break without much success.
Il was hoping for d nice talk with
| you," h. said at last rather desperately
but you seem determined not to crafty
me- You know that I return to the city
tomorrow, too, and ! won't see you
again until come to claim you for my
own. My darling, if you could realize
with what urspcakable Joy look for
| ward 10 that time. But you are SO colo
J. can't understand you, Margaret.
! Sometimes I be- gin to fear you regret.
Don't begin TO think anyth NJ so de-
void OF sense. Brian. If can't believe
! in disinlcre5tel affection it isn't my
fault. Some one stole my faith from
me-"
She settlcd back in her corner with
! these words and wraple1 her cloak
more closely about her.
Il am very cross, Bran," she added
after u moment OF self-rcproach. Il
don't want TO be cross to you. Please
remember that even when I forget it
ain sorry ever hal a heart"
Had, Margaret" he repeated, bright
ening at once at nor gentle tones. "Oh,
don't let us be doieful, please. Talk of
something else. !"
After this outburst Margaret settled
Still further back in her corner, and
Brian tried in vain to catch a glimpse
| of her face in the hichoring light Of the
two carriage lamps.
! No further remark broke the silence,
which lasted until they reached home.
TO EE CONTINUED.
Phenomenal Growth.