The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-18
CHAPTER xyII-Contlnued.

Poor Brian. What state to be in.
Don't shudder any more. The places !
go, and the people meet. only hurt my
heart. 4 very effective hurt, too; for II
teaches me to appreciate my own good
fortune, and It makes me feel very re-
gretful to cit here amid 30 much com.
fort and luxury, and remember the many
victims OF the world injustice. You
could never imagine, Brian, what pas
sionate delight that poor little crippled
Hirl took in the few flowers I carried
her; and, while watched her, could
not help thinking what revelation q
sight Of Elmwood would be to her.
have been thinking OF 1t ever since. So
many plans have filed my heart,
but they are all impossible. l feel so
helpless and-rebellious. Doctor, you
are smiling. / don't think you quite
enter into my feelings. Can you
imag ne q woman living on, the pro-
ceeds of button holes, at cent and
half apiece? Agnes mother supports
herself 30. She is satisfied, she told
me, when button holes are plenty.
But now they are not. Hooks and eyes
have taken their place. I told Nanny
the other day that liked hooks and
eyes. Now I hate them, because J
know they have taken bread from al
least one woman's mouth. And she ID
not alone. l feel that have been liv-
Ing In q small corner Of the earth up
to this time, and / am only just
awaking to real actual life. 1t Is sac
revelation for me. cannot tell you
how many women l saw to-day, anc
how many others I heard of, who sing
the Song OF the Shirt from daylight tc
midnight--to whom its heart breaB
and want are living reality. How
can we talk Of the decentralization OF
the lower classes? How can we preach
to them? Shall we initiate the ex-
ample of the man who gave BLDG
when the starving woman asked Iol
breadA We forget our souls when the
body Is hungry; at least, l should
But. IL I were one Of those women.
wearing out my life for q pittance,
should not forget that the man FOL
whom starved lived In a palace. and
cnioyed the luxuries purchased with
nv life- blood. The world admiree
such men, and calls them fortunate and
successful, because they have made 80
much wealth In q few years; but l an
very much afraid that, IL l were In
their place, 1 should see wan, hungry
face on every dollar.
Isn't that rather severe, Mrs. Leigh
Margaret did not meet Wilson's ey'
as she answered this question.
Perhaps 1t Is. I'm afraid l alway'
express myself too strongly. These
things appeal to me SO foreibly, ant
when feel, feel intensely.
~Then take my advice and don't g
among Them" observed Brian, practi
cally. 1T is not true philosophy to see
ont the dark side OF life. This Is no
home. and you cannot be sure into wha
sort Of places your wanderlngs may tax
YOU. or what kind OF characters you ma
meet.
Margaret was thoughtful moment.
II do not chance upon much refine
ment and elegance, she said presently
"but that does not affect me In any way
feel that could take the hand OF tn
worst creature on earth and not be low
cred. You know / have preclude
against those people whose excessiv
goodness shrinks from contact wit
0thers-not always so much worse, onl
more unfortunate than themselves
They are the Pharisees, who thank Go
thew are not as their neighbors ar
Sunpose we should initiate them. l lib
TO see the picture Of the woman ciint
ing to the cross, and l confess l ma
inspiring: but at the same time, car
NOT hello thinking that the woman WI
holds out her hand to an unfortuna'
sister Ia more helpful and more nobl
n the world thinks otherwise disagree
with II. Don't draw down your lips
that pathetic way, Brian. This isn't
sermon. / sha'nt say another WORD.
Margaret settled back in her chai
Nth an air OF determination that rath
amused Wilson.
IT am on your side of the question
he replied. with q smile. so is Brla
n he chooses to admit as much.
"Pm incapable of any admission ~
now nut in Brian. / am wholly 10
In admiration OF Margaret's facility I
disposing Of oil opinions not her ow
and marching on to victory. She has
wav of bringing out her closing remark
which SAYS quite decidedly Their
that's final. Dispute IT, you dare? 1t
useless to say ooh, Brian! Margar'
The fact is true. You have . mo
astonishing tenacity for your own ides
You can out-argue the greatest logici
on earth. Out-talk him, should say
@Thanks for the correction. 70
distinction is delicate, but obvious.
would be too much, / am sure, Tor a
man to give a woman credit LOT
ability to argue. wonder what pc
man will do, when they are forced
recognize woman's mental equau'
perhaps even then they will continue
indulge In witty satire, at her expen'
we forgive them To lecture US amor
them innocent amusement, ana IN
really haven't the grace to echo Ch'
lotte Bronte's prayer: When l ma
nothing to say, may the Lord give
grace 10 be silent. =,
"You have us quite defenseless, NJ
Jeich. Brian has not q WORD 10 81
and am but little better. How are
to f3nd consolation for your unnatter'
opinion3" an =,
tor. II you did not find 1t WITHIN 20
ssli have often thought that you
tSe natural follower OF Uescar.
Theore.ically and practically you I
the ego all sufficient w..
Worse and worse. laughed WIS
sLnd Brian rejoices In my dlscomnbu
Shall / regret being a mann
sRv no means" returned Margai
sit is the next best thing to PEN
woman, You have the easier s'os
life. too, We have the hayter.
iinn.s share Of suffering falls on 10,
Ne nuat see our duty under toe o
painful circumstances a maA @ss