The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-10-07

CHATTER y.

Hello, old follow! have you quite
forgotten your friends, or are your
thoughts SO occupied with the fair Mar
garet that Insignificant men like me can
gain no entrance into the inner recesses
o. your mind?"
Brian was sitting In the library, with
his feet gracefully elevated, and his
mind deep In thought, and the enjoy
msnt OF q cigar, when Berthe burst In
upon him with this greeting.
He jumped to his feet at the sound OF
the well-remembered voice, and making
grab for Bertie's hand, wrung 1t for
some seconds In silence.
$50 1t Is really you. he said, whom he
found his voise. @Declarel l wouldn't
have known you. Take a chair and
make yourself OF home. Had an idea
you'd turn up"
Like q bad penny" put in Berthe.
by the way, that smile is about worn
ous. 1t should be relsgated to oblivion
In company with the thrsadbare jokes OF
mothers, In law and servant girls. How
the divine Margaret? You're lucky
devil, old fellow. know but one girl
as good as Margaret
sand who Is she?"
y BERTHE smiled knowingly and watched
the smoke aurling above his head. In
meditative silence.
"a secret Just now, he said after Q
pause. But to return to Margaret.
She's jewel worth the wearing Things
have turned out fortunately for you,
tell you. / salt mighty sorry for you at
one time, and Margaret seemed oil cut
up about Is. The loss OF tho money
would have been rather hard On you.
chr" i
Rather" agreed Brian, anxious to
change the subject "You haven't told
me yet whom you arrived
Yesterday afternoon, my boy. de-
scended upon the parental fold at mo-
ment big with fate, as tho poets say.
My respected father had offered his
fortune, not his hand. to my beloved
cousin. and that impulsive young lady
had refused 1t In o few choice but con-
vinslng words. Aritched battle seemed
imminent, when my presence restored
psaae. Whereupon my mild parent fell
upon my nesk, metaphorically speaking,
and called for tho fatted calf.
THAT 10 the history Of my return.
Very touching. Is It not' Now. I'm
hare in hopes that Margaret will invite
@Perhape." returned O laughing voice.
garet standing In the door.
Come in, no cried, I've walked two
miles 20 soc you"
And get your dinner, she added, ad-
vanc!ng into the room and taking the
chair Brian offered her. That admis.
sion OF yours Is against you.
And your tongues as sharp as ever.
wonder If you treat poor Brian to tht
unmerciful lectures that used to fall tx
my lot. pity him from my heart. Ever
how he hasn't O word to soy for himself
Poor fellowl" u"
He does look meek, responded Mar
vsret, turning to Brian and endeavorin!
10 draw him into the conversation. :"
nm afraid your sympathy doesn't appea
to him. Unfortunately, pity is cheap.
THAT is why / usually have such
supply on hand. I've always had tw'
reasons for wishing to be your husband
Don't turn up your pretty nose, m,
dear; 1t spoils your beauty. AS wa
remarking about my two reasons, on
la because I'd always be sure OF q goo
dinner. and the other because I'd greatl
enjoy tho pleasure Of tanning such
Bhrew."
Thanks for your interest, sir. Fo
your enlightenment I'll inform you tina
it is not wise to attempt impossible
tasks. / have no wish TO play Catherin
TO your Betruchio. Oh, Miss Hilton.
am so glad to see you. Won't you TAX
my part? I'm quite defenseless. Eve
Brian has sat here quietly and allowe
mo to fight my own battles.
THAT was too bad Of Brian. ] sup
pose he considered you equal to tho oc
pasion."
Just exactly, Miss Hilton put
BERTHE. "You know her OF old. Nv
walked two miles to congratulate her o
certain coming event, and instead {
accepting kindly intentions, She
"She thinks I'm the one to be cor
graduated" put In Brian, awakin
- from dream, as it were, and turnin
sn inquiring glance Oh Margaress erin
Il certainly didn'A intend to provok
discussion" she reiolnei, slightly ar
noyea. Miss Hilton brings US tidine
of iiianer. and BERTHE, If you are not Q
yonr best behavior, you shant hay
any" :.
said BERTHE, as Margaret lowered HI
head to answer some comment OF Br
ans.
ell, DcTtic, DOW louS w yOu ihoCA
to stay2" asked Miss Hilton, as the
placed themselves about the table.
10 laughed heartily. .n,
THAT depends" he answered. II
uncertainty of the pater's temper pr
vents any settled calculation. hol
n NAV be several weeks, as don't ca
10 return to tho city during this weathhe
for IL there's q more forlorn place thi
Now York in summer I'm not anxio
TO come across 1t. :.
1T would never suit me, put In Ma
raret. Il believe / should lind the We
--~r-- dispiriting.'
-Iv,s a reveiauon TO go through
tenement districts. ! had occasion
do IS the other day. apd 1t seemed
me humanity literally swarmed arou
mo. How can people. raised under su
conditions, have the instincts OF hum
beings"
-Yet we are a rich and prospero
people. Our treasury overfiows with
surplus, and thousands Of human
;ngs are starving. By what law OF j.
tico do you reconcile that?"
MY dear Margaret, your questl
suggests a'sublect for tariff deoa
AJAX the Colonel to discuss 1t with 20
speak tpo Lightly. Brian, J IN