The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-23
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AW0MAN5INFL

because no one can help being. You
have the faculty of making everybody
love you, and old men are no more proof
against it than young ones. 1t has
proved unfortunate in my case, but he
Of course, is more favored. I'll begin
to wish myself old presently.
Thou shouldst not have been old
before thou hadst been wise' You
should take that saying to heart. AS to
the Colonel, he has won his right to my
respect and esteem. He has been my
most helpful friend in times when most
needed help. He is qu!ck-tempered. to
be sure, and expresses his opinion with
out scruple, but 1 know him to be up
right, honorable, and true as steel. I'd
| trust him forever"
He has q stanch champion. wish
you had half as good an opinion Of me.
| speaking OF his temper, he and grand
| father ever agreed"
Il should think not, was the warm
reply. "A warm-hearted, generous man
like the Colonel could never admire the
| hard, cold man your grandfather was.
| I wonder he could breathe the same at
| mosphere with him."
He was your grandfather, too, re-
| marked Brian, rather meekly.
Il don't care to acknowledge the rela-
| honship. Please don't speak Of him.
| commit sin whenever his name Is men
| toned. and that necessltates after pen
ance. Talk OF something more agreea-
| bie-do,"
with all my heart. was never In
| love with him myself. He was forever
| quoting that abominable saying, which
| don't believe was in the Bible, Spare
the rod and spoil the child, for my espe-
ciai benefit.
well. dare say he had reason" was
The ready response, accompanied by a
dash of humor SO Like the old Margaret
that he began to imagine himself In
| S'conset again. you haven't like
objection to Colonel Barton, have you?
Tell me why yo1 are not favorite with
him."
Il don't know. Perhaps I imagine it.
dare say he doesn't consider me half
30 worthless as you do. Who would be-
iieve that SO fair face could hide, SO
hard heart?
The tone, as much as his words, vexed
Margaret. Her eyes darkened and her
voice took on a sharper intonation.
I'VE will discuss neither my face nor
ny heart, if you please"
She gave her horse O sharp blow,
which sent him into hard gallOp.
Then, with the quick repentance which
always followed such outbursts, she
pulled up quickly and waited for Brian
TO join her. This he did with an air Of
injured dignity.
Don't look SO dreadfully doleful,"
she called out with an attempt at light
ness. Really you give me the blues.
Are you hungry I'm perfectly raven
Gus. If we ride little faster Well be
homo in two minutes"
Il don't want to be home in two min
ats. l wish this ride would last for
ever. No, of course you don't; you arc
thinking Of your breakfast, but / Oh,
Margaret, / wish yoa wouldn't trife
with my dearest feelings"
And Iwish you hadn' t such queer way
Of coming in with unexpected remarks.
You haven't the least idea of the fitness
Of things. I'm hungry, and I'm going
home just as fast as this horse will
carry me-"
With these somewhat defiant words
she galloped off, and Brian, to give a
more forcible expression to his sense of
injury, followed at snail's pace.
When he arrived at Elmwood he found
Margaret Invested of her riding habit
awaiting him In the dining-room. He
pretended not 10 see the smile with
which she greeted him, and during
breakfast he maintained a moody 81
lence, which awakened in Margaret q
half grave, half-amused interest.
A thorough baby" she commented,
leaving the table when the meal was
over and going into the garden, ap-
parently to look at her flowers; In reali-
ty 10 be alone with her thoughts.
She walked for an hour in the fresh
fower-scented air, and when she re-
turned to the house her nervous rest
1essness was so marked that Miss Hill
ton was both surprised and panied, but
she wisely forbore remark. Even when,
q short time before luncheon, Margaret
stole up behind her chair, and, placing
her arms about her neck, said, rather
ENORMOUSLY, Il am so tired of the ortho-
dox way of eating, Miss Hilton. Shall
we have our lunch under the trees?" she
contented herself with answering:
do as you like, my dear. 1 think it
will be very nice. and appetizing."
And change" added MargareS
How l do want a change. A horrid die
position to have, is it not? Never to DO
satisfied. / don't know how you put up
with me, when find it so difficult to pat
up with myself"
"Sit down. my dear, and I will tell
you, was the quiet reply.
Some other time" said Margaret,
quickly. Il hear Cousin Brian. He
would prove an interruption. Besides,
must see to our picnic, you know"
She was gone when Brian entered the
ro ON q second later.
He noted her absence, and his look Of
disappointment reflected his feelings.
Il will send him to her presently
unused the old lady. calling him to sit
beside her.
STRANGE PROPOSAL
Margaret was standing in a veritablo
shower of sunbeams, when Brian, act
ing on Miss Hilton's hint, found her un-
der the trees.
How perfectly charming" he cried,
gazing, not at the temptingly spread
table, but at Margaret, whose lovely
face seemed to gain new beauty from
her surroundings. What delightful
surprise you have prepared Cor us.
feel hungry and almost happy"
You have a peculiar way OF express
ing yourself, Cousin Brian. Are hun
ger and happiness associated il Your
mind? lam glad you can laugh. Doie-
full people give me the blues, and grim
looks are not in keeping with this bright
sun
Neither is my heart, for that matter.