The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-10-07


/ know YOU don't mean 1t. My bird has
been so coauettish and Knocked the with
SO many sweet songs, that ! am glad TO
see her Gagged at last. Now, as she per-
sistently refuses to unclose her eyes to
the beauty of my countenance, snail
proceed TO take matters In my own
hands,"
This threat he promptly carried out;
Disregarding her resistance, he h1ted
her blushing face until he could look
into her dropping eyes. Then; appar-
entity satisfied with his long, intent
gaze. he drew her closer to him, and
kissed her unresisting lips with grave
tenderness.
Alice. was right; you do like me q
litLlo."
A half hour later, Alice suggested tho
advisability OF returning to the Colonel.
Dertie acquiesced reluctantly.
-Come In, called the old gentleman,
as they hesitated at the door.
How many miles did you have to
travel to find Alice9 You've been gone
Just thirty.hve minutes, but I'll forgive
you. Think you've gotten ahead Of tho
old man. CHI Wouldn't have wife Of
my choosing7 Oh. no. Wanted an old
mare to your liking. Humphl YOU
! empty pate. you've got the very girl J
picked out for you. Think / have taste.
eh? Well, she'll lead you adance. She's
got the DEVILS own temper. and you're
about her equal, sir"
Il am your son, was the imperturba-
Bile reply.
yes, yes. Nobody'd think it, though.
| You'll never have your fathers sense,
boy. Come here, you little c1quette,
| and kiss your uncle. And, BERTHE, you
scamp, if you don't give her everything
she wants, I'll shoot you. Now clear
cut, both Of you. You addle my bewil-
dered brain"
An clear out they did, with alacrity.
During tho days that followed MARI
garet and Alice saw great deal Of each
other, but this constant companionshlp
was fraught more of pain than Of pleas
ure to Margaret, for the happy content.
| ment which filled Alice's heart Knocked
her with the knowledge Of something
wanting in her own life. The pain was
hidden In her own heart, but her doubts
and fears found outward expression in
nervous restlessness, a lack OF definite
purpose end lowness Of spirits. Many
times did she reproach herself severely
for allowing such feelings to influence
her; but, do what che would, she could
not Danish the vague pain with which
sho looked forward to tho future. 1t is
not that ! ain unhappy" she told her.
self, 'but 1t Is the possibility OF wha
lies before me-.
One evening, during one OF Brian's
periodical visits 10 Elmwood, she wen
With him to take dinner at The Cedara
She found the evening thoroughly en-
joyable, and for the time being she lait
aside her depression and was in bril-
liant spirits. The Colonel, whose veil
was particularly happy, kept her by hi:
side and made himself especially en-
PERTAINING.
You needn't be Jealous" he said t.
Brian, you'll enjoy all her sweetness
presently. No hope for US old follows
You young ones manage to shine III
down and the girls like your handsome
faces and forget your empty heads.
Brian joined in the laugh raised at hi
expense, but when his eye met Margaret
he was both surprised and perplexed
its peculiar expression.
During the ride home he found her ga.
spirits had given way to moody 81
lence, which he tried several times T.
breah without much success.
Il was hoping for a nice talk wit
you," he said of last rather desperately
abut you seem determined not to graft
me. You know that return to the cit
o-morTow, too, and I won't see 20
again until come to claim you for m
own. My darling, If you could realiz
,. with what unspeakable joy l look fol
/. ward to that time. But you are so COL
can't understand you, Margare
Sometimes / begin to fear you regret.
Don't begin to think anything so de
|, void Of sense. Brian. If can't beliey
,, In disinterested Affection it isn't m
fault. Some one stole my faith fro
, me-"
. She settled back in her corner wit
/ these words and wrapped her cloa
, more closely about her.
l Il am very cross, Brian, she adde
! after moment Of self-reproach.
| don't want to be cross to you. Pleas
! remember that even when / forget it
+ am sorry I ever had heart.
+ Had, Margaret" he repeated, brigh
;. ening at once at her gentle tones. ~
: don't let us be dolefui, please. Talk
something else"
After this outburst Margaret settle
still further back in her corner, al
Brian tried In vain to catch Gimp
Of her face in tho Pickering light OF Il
o two carriage lamps.
s No further remark broke the silenc
b which lasted until they reached HON
TTo BE CONTINUED