The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-23
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CHAPTER VII. Il
A MORNING DIDR


BRIAN saw Margaret returning, ant
putting down the book he had been try
Ing to read, he went into the hall tc
meet her. depressing her nervousness
at his unexpected appearance, she
paused as he came up to her with the
words:
'You have been so long, Margaret.
Did you enjoy your visit so mucha Why
didn't you let those people wait, and
give me just little Of your company,
/ haven't much chance. I am going
away tomorrow.
/. morrow She grasped her raised
skirt moro tightly, but no further COM
ment escaped her lips.
Taking this for indifference, Brian
continued, after brief pause: Il dare
soy l shall never SEQ you again. OF
course you will not regret that, but be-
fore go. should like to know that you
forgive me. If you only knew how
have suffered! II you could realize how
still suffer, you would be kinder. II
Is so hard to lose oil, Margaret ct"
Have been so unkinda am sorry.
Have not told you that / regret,
with bitterness cannot express, the
conditions which make me mistress
here? II there is any way"
He interrupted her with passionate
reproach. You do me injustice. Do
you suppose I was alluding to the
money? / hate the very mention of 1t.
leave 1t out of the question. l am
thinking Of YOU"
She tapped her foot with her riding
whip, and despite the effort to control
her countenance, an incredulous OK
preston passed over it.
@You don't believe me-" he cried
passionately. well, / deserve that at
your hands, but truth is truth. Tho
very sight of your kindness to others
maddens mo. see row they are favored
and remember your hardness to me.
/ envy the very children who speak to
you as you pass. They can be happy
without your love. 1 cannot. You need
not look your dislike, 1 feel It, 1 am
destined to offend you so much since
saw you in that place, where only my
evil fate led me, that feel no sacrifice
could be too great for your sake"
Isn't the sensation @ novel one?" she
asked, steeled to hardness by somo in.
ward remembrance. Il believe we
agreed to leave me out OF the question:
Brian ground his heel with an ex.
clamation of Impotence. 1T is useless
to hope" he answered bitterly. you
will never forget. Hate me if you will,
but do not show such contemptuous In
difference"
1T Is not charitable to hate. and for.
eetfulness does not come so easily as we
might wish"
mo, he replied, stung to re.oinder.
Z have something to remember, too"
She paIed perceptibly..
You are generous" was her passion
ate answer. Now perhaps you will
allow me to pass"
~Ah, no! Margaret, not yet. can't
SEQ you 90 from me SO. Forgive me for
what just said. / meant nothing.
spend half my time in regretting what
has gone before. l cannot stand your
anger. Why Is all the gentleness In
yoHr nature turned against me on1y?"
Il do not know she answered, hall
absently, while her face softened visi-
bly,. Have you anything to ask me?@
Nothing that you will grant; unless,
perhaps, IL Is permission to ride with
you tomorrow. Will you allow me that
pleasure?"
"Iride early, she answered with hesi-
tation, but II you care to forego your
morning nap have no objection"
Thank you. You will see how glad
" I'll forego that morning nap"
Il really didn't expect to see you"
Margaret confessed, when they were
both in the saddle next morning. Il
thought"
How could you doubt mep" he inter-
rupted, with some reproach. Il am only
too happy to take advantage Of this last
chance to spend little while with you.
I'll soon be out of your life entirely.
find 1t hard to tear myself away"
He sighed. His sigh was echoed
close beside him, but Margaret's face
was impenetrable.
What a glorious morning." she re-
marked rather irrelevantly. I'VE shall
have delightful ride"
Are you so fond Of riding" he asked,
noting her high color and flashing eyes.
-Passionately. feel so light-hearted
when / am in the saddle. An hour like
this Is particularly inspiriting. l love
the GOODNESS and the res.ful quiet, sud
love the fresh morning air."
you love the night air, too"
Her face flushed at the words.
Il suppose you heard me In the gar
den last night" che said, bending her
head with the pretext of untangling her
horses name. The night was perfect,
and I couldn't withstand the tempta-
ton. / hope you will not speak Of It
to Miss Hilton. She may begin to
worry her dear head about me, when
really / was only nervous and woke
full.
And you adopted that plan for WOO
ing sleep? Couldn't you have found a
more prundent and more effectual
one?"
Il hate prudence" she broke in, with
. suspicion of impotence; in fact, l
fcvel in imprudenee,
i've had ample proof of that. was
his tranquil, reply why didn't You let
me play Esculap;us, II only to vindicate
my diploma, you know"
The idea didn't suggest itself to me,
and don't believe I'd care to be ex-
rerimented on, anyway. diploma
Isn't guarantee ct ability, you know. :
No one can accuse you OF kissing the
blarney stone" he returned, rather
grimIy. Sometimes I begin to fear
you are toe truthful
No one can be that. There is The
Cellars. No one about. suppose Col.
Barton is an old friend of yours"
II knowing me since / was knee.
high TO grasshopper implies friend
ship. he and must be first-rate chums.
] don't fancy I'm an especial favorite