The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-16

the extent of his Imagination.
"'If he only had little more sense,
find myself saying morning, noon and
night, but with all the possibilities that
cluster around that If, the unwelcome
fact still obtrudes itself. His mind Is a
vacuum, and /, like nature, abhor q
vacuum.
Sometimes l wonder if his pocket
book can fill the place where his brain
ought to be. AS the question Is mo.
nentous ono, pray give me the benefit
of your advice. Meantime, / continue
to be the sun of his existence, the star
of his night, and few other iuminaries.
And as, also, you must be thoroughly
tired OF me by this time, / will say
good-by, for the present. Everybody
Joins me in love to you. More in my
next, NELL"
"P. s. Being a woman, my letter
wouldn't be complete without post
script. So here 1t is: Give my love to
Miss Margaret when you see her.
suppose she is as sweet and as pretty as
ever, for I know her good fortune hasn't
spoiled her,"
Margaret flushed and smiled at this
allusion to herself.
Just as bad as ever, she commented.
Nell will never be staid nor dignified.
That is what mamma says. We are
oil lively set. / dare say they think
my nest Is feathered, but t."
Alice shook her head doubtfully.
Uncle Is so overbearing at times, and
1 was never noted for mildness of tenn
per. Sometimes get perfectly raving,
and then there's grand scene. Indeed,
you wouldn't laugh if you were in my
place.
There is his bell now. He is awake,
and I suppose he wants mo. Evidently
he's in O bad humor. Come with me,
Margaret. He will want to see you, and
besides your presence may be as oil
upon the troubled waters"
Alice hurried off, while Margaret
waited to get her hat and gloves. When
she reached the head of the stairs she
heard the Coloners high-pitched voice,
evidently answering some proposition
from Alice.
go back? I'll 60 back when 1 choose,
Miss, I'll not be dictated to. Pii-
Bless my soul If there isn't Margaret
When did you get here, child? just
now? Well, WE'LL I'm SO pestered and
bothered. / can hardly see you. Come
utIt anu lGL LILO AaSO % s3ONA AOOh 90
you"
At this invitation Margaret came down
the steps, and the old gentleman. despite
her blushing remonstrance, took her face
between his hands and kissed her on
each cheek.
so you've been away, and come back
as pale as ever" he added, holding her
from him and looking at her earnestly.
81 1. hsx hatfnr for
you here. I'm glad to see you, child
mighty glad. Missed you like the devil,
By the way, hear you've got that
young scamp with you. l doubt If he
had one foot off the train before some oil
these COMPOUNDED tattling women, pub
lished it to the neighborhood. II were
the husband OF some Of them, I'd hang
or shoot 'em. What are you giggling at
Alice? Nothing? Well, have more sense
Come over and take dinner with us
Margaret. No company, you know.
Only yourself and Brian, if you choose
to bring him. / want to see the boy.
suppose he's grown out Of my recogni-
tiOn."
The old gentleman disappeared in the
library as he made this last remark, and
Margaret turned to Alice with a smile
Il must be going," she said. Two left
my cousin, you know, and must not be
| inhospitable. Please come over soon
Alice. Miss Hilton sent her love and q
| special invitation"
Alice stood ON the porch for some min
utes after Margaret was gone.
IF I should turn prophecies sh'
| said, half aloud, would cay" Sh'
did not complete her sentence, but
smiling to herself, went into the house
fro BE CONTINUED