The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-11
CHAPTER XVII.
A LIFTING OF THE CLOUDS.

A LIFTING OF THE CLOUDS
TO Brian, the knowledge that Mar
! caret had not lost all feeling for him,
| and that her faith in him was strong.
| Notwithstanding his many falls,
| brought new strength and courage.
With the power Of strong determine
| ton he seemed to be gaining victory
| over that old habit. Not an entire one,
| of course. Margaret could not expect
| SO much. Sometimes friend could
lure him away, but this was seldom.
| and never since their talk in her room
| had he lost the entire command OF HIM
self.
Under these circumstances Margaret
| felt her heart considerably lightened.
| She could look forward more hopefully
| to the future, and her letters took on
| something Of her OWE cheerful spirit.
Brian could not fail to see the change.
and it was equally apparent to Wilson,
In his few brief visits. He only dropped
| in upon rare occasions now, seldom
stayed long. and always claimed that he
was too busy even to find time to see
his friends.
Il suppose we must accept your ex-
| cuses, Doctor" Margaret replied one
| evening to his usual plea. Cant you
teach your patients some idea of the fit-
ness OF things2 Why should they all
| get sick together? think few might
| walt until the others are WE'LL"
$50 they might, Mrs. Leigh, II they
| could see the matter from your point OF
view. Unfortunately, however, illness,
like time and tide, waits for no man.
We have had very trying winter. and
i pneumonia Is very prevalent. That has
added considerably to my iabors. I con-
fess 1 am thoroughly tired out when
night comes, and only too glad to creep
into bed.
And sleep in the comfortable sense,
that your rest lie we'll earned"
.Yes." he laughed, though that is no
proof against It's being broken. The
only time my profession brings regret
Is when 1 hear my night bell 1ingling
and / am called from q delightful
nap"
Just as I've always said. observed
Brian, with side glance at Margaret.
"A doctors life Is all work and no
play
you?" she rejo.ned, quickly. Still, play
or not, Brian, it is very noble profess
sion. and when I was a child l always
declared 1 should be doctors wife.
There was a decided question In the
eyes she fixed upon him.
! Poor Margaret" he replied, joining
j In Wilson's laugh. What miserable
/ concern you managed to get. Only the
!. beginning Of one."
! Don't be so generous with your SYM
Z pathy. please. A beginning Is better
j than nothing. An acorn is only the be-
4 ginning of an oak, but we don't despise
|. the acorn because it is not an oak
yet
Wilson, as well as Brian, caught the
n delicate emphasis on the yet, and he
answered with half smile:
l. Brian will become an hoLored mem
her of the profession before his days are
6 ended. l predict that, Mrs. Leigh.
y @Ah, 1 have quite decided it," re-
g turned Margaret promptly: "BriaI
e knows that as well as I do.
d couldn't have all my childish calcula'
7, tons upset. l used to think Uncle
81 Stephen the very personihcation OF al
y things good and noble, and wondered
u then II his son were anything like him
r. You see had not met Brian"
II .And now, Margaret, that you hav'
> met him?" -,
Brian came behind her chair will
% this question. She glanced back at hin
Il never form an opinion Of o bool
al GO deeper to see II it win realize or ois
th appoint my expectations. Besides,
a. don't air my views in public. Speakin
OF views" she continued more lightly
or Il have some want to show you, Doc
It. tor. You must promise to think ther
It. very beautiful. or l shall be disar
pointed. Brian, will you get then
90 please?"
al At this request Brian got out sma
20 folio OF wood cuts and pen pictures {
various scenes about Elmwood and tn
n, surrounding country. They were a
III excellent, and Wilson's appreciation wa
a. was warm enough to satisfy even Ma
y Aret's enthusiasm.
be $40 YOU wonder that I am proud {
~ Elmwood?. she asked, after an ami
ny mated description OF several OF its fine.
! no.nts. DO you wonder that l shout
love it SO dearly? Ny wonder Is thu
IT. BRIAN doesn't care for it as do, for
vas born there. I think he has Il
of least bit Of fondness for Bohemian e.
ng stence. an sorry for him, because
aid 40 think 1t O most unsatisfactory sort
i a life. agree with George Eliot tn
he va all should have one home spot tn
for .hall stand clearly out In memory, al
the q which cur minds and hearts may q
IN / Eays return, no matter how far We ms
md have wandered from 1t.
icy Margaret broke OF with aiah This