The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-16
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CHAPTER vi.
SOME VIEWS OF POVERTY

When Brian descended to the break
fast room next morning, he found Mar
garet alone.
She was standing near the open win
dow, and so intent upon arranging some
lilies In bowl that she did not notice
his presence until he was close beside
her.
His voice recalled her absent thoughts,
and. looking up with a start, the warm
blood mounted to her brow. notwitA-
standing her effort to control the me.
mentary weakness.
I did not expect to sea you so soon. !"
she said, in answer to his Good morn
Ing"
And I did not expect to see you
nlone. We are both disappointed
most agreeably. VIII you allow me to
assist you? Nor Perhaps you doubt
my ability. shall improve it by watch
ing you. Or, better still, shall take
advantage of this opportunity to tell
you that am sorry ever came here.
THAT Is poor compliment to Miss
Hilton and me, replied Margaret, with
an attempt ut lghtness, and an absorb
ing interest in her task.
You know what mean, he returned,
with some warmth. You know why
ohO NCiy oiBHe VI you 10 PdihAuh ioi mo-
You seem happy enough, but am ut
terly miserable"
did you sleep well last night?" sho
broke in, with questionable irrelevancy,
placing the flowers, which she could
make no further pretext Of fixing, in tho
middle of the table.
NO, / didn't sleep ut all, was the
rather short reply; Il was haunted"
Haunted How unpleasant wonder
why they don't bring in breakfast.
Will you ring that bell by you, please2"
mo, no! Wait one moment, Mar
garet. / dare say the coffee isn't ready,
or the steak isn't cooked, or something.
don't like my breakfast half done; be-
sides, I'm not hungry"
But am; I've had long ride this
morning"
You didn't use to ride at S'conset.
Confound that hole! How / wish it had
been swallowed up before / ever saw it!
Why did you deceive me, Margaret?
You told me your name was Smith,"
And SO it was while / was there.
Others knew nue. as Miss Smith, why
shouldn't your"
She colored in spite of herself.
you might have told me afterward,'
he continued, reproachfully. What .
difference 1t would have made!"
Il understand, she replied, with not
little scorn, and Brian, feeling that he
had committed himself again, was about
to say something in his own vindication,
when the door opened and Miss Hilton
entered, thus putting an end to the tete-
a-tste.
He saw Margaret's expression Of re-
lief, and his heart sank accordingly.
But during breakfast she talked to him
80 pleasantly and naturally that he be-
gan to feel less depressed. He was even
planning quiet hour with her during
the morning, when she arose from the
table, with the words:
Il think shall ride over to The Cedars,
Miss Hilton. haven't seen Alice since
my return, you know. l am sure you
and cousin Brian will have lots to talk
over, 80 I'll leave him in your hands. .
Miss Hilton noticed the change that
passed over Brian's countenance, but
she answered quite cheerfully:
Very we'll, my dear. You mustn't
neglect your friends. Brian and will
have a nice, quiet morning together.
Don't let the Colonel keep you too
long"
After your remark about the quiet
morning, l think I'll spend the day,
was Margaret's quiet rejoinder, as she
passed through the door which Brian
held open for her.
Twenty minutes later she had mount
ed her horse, and was following the
well-kept road through the busy little
town. But though sho was nodding
every few minutes to the people she
passed, her thoughts were far from her
present surroundings.
Certain ideas had obtained lodgmens
In her mind and refused to be displaced
For the first time, the possibility that
her uncle had looked forward to a union
between her cousin and herself came to
her with a certainty that was absolute
pain. She recalled many incidents and
illusions, many half-forgotten converse
tons, which received deeper meaning
from this new possibility.
She remembered that often, in speak
Ing of Brian, her uncle had said good
wife would be his salvation, that home
ties would bind him to a more useful
life, and that his most earnest desire
was to see his hayward son well and
happily married.
But she remembered, above all, that
when her uncle lay dying he had awak.
ened, after many hours OF unconscious
ness, to say, in accents which only hel
car could catch: God will bless ant
guard you, Margaret. Don't forge,
Brian, and be good to him for my sake.
The request had sounded oddly then
but now it had new meaning. Was
her uncle looking into the future ever
then, or did he in his dying moments
enjoy the happy delusion that his hopes
were realizedi
Margaret was trying to answer thi'
rainful question when she reached he
Sestination-a handsome, modern-i look
ing house, surrounded by stately cedars
Running I'D the broad staircase. will
the ar Of one familiar with the sur
roundings, she paused before nail
opened door, with the words:
MAY come in, Alice?'
For answer, there was glad cry; tn
sound of q chair falling, followed ..
rand footsteps, and a pretty girl Oh
brunette type rushed into Margaret'
arms and kissed her with a1ectionaf
impetuosity.
+Oh, / am SO glad to see you, she crle'
between her spasmodic caresses. lo'
dear child, you've been away an age
You look pale, TOO, or perhaps It's thi
black dress. Come right n. Every
lhina's muesed - usual There, ~