The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-12-09
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CHAPTER XXI.

ana because, pCO, OF tne Qeep friendship
entertained for his father, he took more
than usual interest In him.
i want to see in you the worthy sue
cessor of my old friend" he said one
day. you can work out an honorable
career, and you should. You owe 1t
not only to his memory but alsoto that
dear, sweet wife Of yours. Let her be
your inspiration. promised your father
when he was dying that would act the
part Of a friend to her. don't believe
can do that more effectually than by
helping you
THE old refrain. Doctor In all that
Is done for me, see Margaret as the
prompting motive. This prevents any
feeling Of conceit on my part, and am
willing that she shall hnvc the we'll
deseryed credit, but, nevertheless. my
MINDLESS calls flap. rather dolefully. :
Or. Philips says have q dear. sweet
wife. What do you think OF that, Mar
garrett"
7 .That he Is man given to over.
praise;" replied Margaret, glancing up
from the scarf she was embroidering.
"A very Moe man, though che added.
turning to her work once moro. so
good to me and 50 good to you.
He was standing behind her chair,
and bont his head to look into hcr eyes.
Nervous under such close contact she
started up, and made o pretense Of ar,
ranging some books upon small table.
Is, Tho sigh with which his eye followed
her awakened In her heart some twings
Of remorse for what, she felt obliged to
confess, was an unreasonable betrayal
Of ill-huumor.
Come back to your chair. Margaret.
You oan DO very cruel sometimes.
.Hayo you any right to blame mo-
Drian2"
/ A glance at his face made her regret
This question tho second 1t passed her
lips, but before she could recall 1t he
had left tho room, with the words des-
tined to echo In her heart through many
long, bitter days.
"No, Margaret. No right ct all. !
see your love Is not for me.
A few minutes later she heard the
sound OF his horses hoofs on tho drive
outside. It was too late now. She
must wait until his return. Then she
would tell him how sorry she was.
4 She wondered Why the moments
dragged so heavily. scarcely An hour
had passed since Brian had left her; II
seemed moro like three. The sound OF
some disturbance down stairs camc to
her cara With nervous start she
/. listened anxlously. There was no mis-
taking the hurried footsteps and sub
dued voices. Something unusual had
happened.
3 with q mind filed with terrible dread.
and heart boating to almost suffoca-
ton, she few down the steps, along the
hall, and into the library, and there
No need to ask the matter now. During
. second, In which she seemed to die a
hundred deaths, she took in the white
face and still form upon the sofa. and
then, without even cry, but with an
expression that fixed itself indelibiy
upon tho minds Of those who saw IT.
she knclt beside this remnant OF ths
life and strength Of an hour before, and
taking tho GOLD hands between her own
soothed and pressed Thorn in her effort
to bring back their lost warmth. Poor
handsi little while ago che had shrunl
from their contact. ana now they were al
powerless, too helpless to respond ever
10 her touch; yet she would still holt
them, ard, perhaps, after time he nigh
feel. She would lay her heart on his
he would hear its beating and NIGH
understand. She would
Margaret"
; She heard her nome repeated softly
abe felt a gentle touch upon her shout
der. and strong hand lifting her from
her crouching position, and she raised
her face, haggard and drawn with suf
fering. to meet DR.. Philips sympathetN
glance.
Ing the question In her eyes. We mus
get him to his room, and meanwhile W.
may hope that things are not SO bad a.
they seem.
had left her; "and poor Brian. l httl'
thought, when saw him so well ant
strong yesterday. that to-day he woui'
be 80 nssr death. A sad ending to hi
young career.
while Margaret sat by Brian's bed
trying la the pain and remorse. wnlc
fllled her heart to overlooking to max
NE most OF the few attentions she coul
lavish upon him, thought came to he
like a roy OF hope. :,
Z will ask him to come, she sa.
nader her breath. Il will ask him Z
cone. Did you call me, Brian; sh
bsns over tho bed and gazed mutei
upon the motionless face. No.. BRA
hsd not called. and with heartbtokc
e.rh she turned AWAY to write tho tcie
srnm which was to tell Wilson G
Brsan's danger.
- And three hours later Wilson cac,t
Well might Margaret say, as hsr han
rested in his sympathetic clasp:
Il felt so suTA tina. you would come
Your presence gives me strength an
hone. feel that he will be. safe
rcur banda.
A,m. Mrs. Leigh Pieafe God. yos
confidence will not 30 misplaced:
Margaret hcrsslf scarcely re.Etsd "a
extent of this confidence until she Ia
teken Wilson 10 Erisn's room, an
waited with q suspense shM aronnte
10 agony tho opinlcn which she ie
~,ousd moan 90 much.
0hc watched his face anvioasly, o.
A. revealed little, aad only by subt
frtuitIon did she urdsrstAnd that !
considercd Biian'S ststc most critical.
with the las. gicam of hope dyis
teou, her heart. shs followed him fro
de room. ,.
sThe truth eia nscadcd, pressll