The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-04
\WOMAN5 INFLUENCE

| Margaret laughed bitterly. The
nelghborhooi has already discussed them
TO It's hearts content. Be sure Of that.
I don't believe can be hurt more than
/ have been on that point. As to get.
ting rid OF you, you talk without reason
or sense, Brian. There'd be no getting
rid Of you, even II I regarded you in the
light OF milestone around my neck;
which I don't-quite. Now, I've been
thinking great deal, and have de-
cided that as you cannot endure life
here I'll have to endure life In New
York. am going there next week.
ITO New York. repeated Brian.
scarcely able to credit his ears. L
thought you said 1t would break your
heart to leave. Elmwood."
Margaret dropped her fork and stopped
70 pick 1t up before she answered:
Don't bring up things I've said. she
returned, with soma impatience. One
can't be accountable for every word.
am determined not to be talked about.
and I want to see something Of this
wonderful New York, whore life Is 20
flexible that 1t can bend to- every caprice
Your expression, sir. You will have to
find me o resting place. Not house;
that would be bother. A small apart
ment will be best; please look for one.
II you can find time from your important
social duties.
yes said Brian, gradually recover.
ing from his surprise. I'll do what ]
can, notwithstanding your sarcastic ref.
erence to my duties. Those sweet lips
weren't made for sarcasm. DOM
frown. / know I'm a daring fellow. /
wfsa I could understand this sudden
whim OF yours. 1t is sensible; can't
deny that. I've thought several times
that 1t would be delightful to spend our
winters In New York and our summers
here. I shall be happy to enjoy your
society and the city at the Same time.
Margaret did not reply to this, and
when she spoke again 1t was on snothes
topic.
ment which seemed to Margaret suit
able In all particulars, and as the time
she had fixed upon for departure drew
nearer she began to realize the cost OF
leaving Elmwood.
Her life was SO thoroughly identified
with this home she had learned to love 90
dearly, her mind and heart go fully
wrapped up in All connected with 1t, that
It was hard and real sacrifice to break
I'D old associations, and look forward tc
an indefinite stay among comparative
strangers and uncongenial surround
ings. But the sacrifice had to be made
and it was better to make 1t soon. she
argued. Dwelling upon it only made h
| harder, and after the actual leaving was
over, the bitterest part, she could force
| herself to be contented In that great
busy city, which held no allurementsfol
| her.
| She would have stolen away quietly
| to have avoided the pain OF saying good
| by to her friends. but this was not pos
| sIble; so the unpleasant experience hat
| to DO encountered.
The fearful grief OF the rectory chii
| dren, who had grown to look upon he
| as q second mother, tried her strength
| and resolution severely, and left he
rather dreading her visit to The Cedars
| In which she was sure to find the Colone
SO kind and sympathetic that 1t woul'
| be impossible to bear up.
IF he only understood how 1t hurts.
she thought, making her way to Alice
room, she would be only hard and cold
People call the world cold and unsympa
thetic, but 1t seems to me that
Il am only advising you, Alice; sue
tempers are hereditary, you know.
These light words broke rather rudel
upon Margaret's melancholy reflections
and Notwithstanding her state OF mind
she was compelled to smile.
Nell daniare che -"'""~"-
pulling aside the portiere and enterin
the room. to find the irrepressible youn
lady seated on table, her feet danglin
In the air and her laughing face suggest
ing the mischief her words had 81
pressed.
~Merclful fatesl IL here isn't Mis-
Margaret" she cried, jumping from he
perch and rushing to greet Margare
sYou didn't expect to see me? Well,
guess not, but here am, as big as III
and twice as natural. Thank heave
you've come. Take off your hat an
} coat. That's right. Now you feel mol
! at home. You'll stay to lunch.
course? Oh, yes, you will. You mus
I'm q goner otherwise. Why m
) anxiety. you ask? Ye gods! what
want Of comprehension And you kno
8 the old bear, too; have seen his lit
= iebu,litions OF wrath. and noted the del
Q cate pink that overspreads his expires
I've features when somebody like me n
[ an opinion-that dear, mild, below
uncle of mine who tried 10 box my ca
a this morning and may be looking 4
i me even at this moment. See, how
a tremble, and SILVER, and shake.
O stay, I pray you; stay to aim the fire
: his passion and throw oil on the trouble
d waters, as it were. Did you see him
Il your wanderings through the hall2 ID
a you catch glimpse OF his seraphl
t eherubic-?"
v For mercy's sake, be quiet, put
9 Alice, interrupting Nell's flow Of o.
|, ouence. you would set anyone Graz
Sit iown, Margaret. I'll try to Ike
! you from being talked to death. Y
y look tired already.
10 Generous creature retorted Ne
!. Take this chair by me, Miss Margar
=, You'll be safe, really. Yes, uncle q
y had glorious quarrel this morniI
y "a I've
|, .ured TO express an opinion ON some o
r. lect, l dare say. He differed with :
n So we had a regular battle. He mt,
poor old Tom says, and defended q
:, self against the venom OF his tong
!. Alice merely grinned. When you ca
=. In / was trying to tell her that D
tempers are hereditary, and theref
:. she'd better look out.
=. Did she thank you for your advic
~ Thank me? Not she. Her natul
too ungrateful. There now! ha
an | question to ask you. and I've forgot