The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-04

When Margaret reached homo after
her ride, during which her thoughts had
not ceased to dwell upon her late bitte1
knowledge, she found that Brian had
arrived.
Relieved at tho intelligence, yet feel.
Ing the impossihility OF meeting him In
her then, state Of mind, she determined
to feign headache Indeed her Inn
agination was not geatly exercised for
this end as q dull pain in her temples
gave reality to her excuse.
/ II Brian had known the moment OF hei
arrival she would not have escaped &c
easily, but he Was In the library at the
time, aud Margaret was thus enabled to
reach the welcome seolusion OF her owr
room, from which safe retreat she lis
tened for any chance sound that might
reach her ears.
Nanny had assured her that Brian had
been made comfortable, and she also
confided that he looked paler than usual
md had been asking every Eve minutes
II Margaret had returned.
THE old refrain. thought Margaret.
with a sigh He can spend days away
from me without regret, but II leave
him minute hero he complains.
Nanny was sent with the message
that Margaret was indisposed, and
hoped he would excuse her for tonight.
She returned with few lines that
Brian had scribbled on the fy-leaf OF o
book.
Dear Margaret they began. I am
30 sorry you are not well. Lot me
come up and sit with you. promise to
be very quiet, and my presence canno'
hurt you. i miss you go much. ~ Is
dull down here, with only my thoughts
for company. My miserable thoughts.
Let me see you. II only for five minutes,
Margaret / am eating my dinner all
alone
All alone! Poor Brian!
3 Let him see her, If only for five min
utes.. A simple request. easily grant
ed, and yet even five minutes was more
than she could bear tonight. And Sc
she answered the note. She thanked
him for his sympathy. Her illness was
nothing more than headache, fol
which quiet was the best medicine
Sne could not see him tonight, though
she was sorry he was lonely. She
had eaten her dinner alone for TWO
weeks.
And Brian read these written words
but he could not read between the lines
CHATTER XIV.
xAxaARsr DISCOVERS HER NEED o. CHANGE
: Margaret,could not make her headache
serve her another day without arousint
suspicion, so she was forced to come t.
breakfast next morning, where sh'
found Brian before her. He greeted he
with a warmth that expressed variet,
OF emotions, while she endeavored T.
show no change in her manner towar'
him.
II hope the he adache has quite gone,
no said, taking his cup OF coffee from he
hand.
@Yes, entirely she answered; I fee
quite we'll this morning
Her appearance belied her words, an
so Brian thought as he regarded he
rather intently from his end OF the to
BILE. Then o constrained silence fe
between them. Margaret searched he
mind for some remark. She found moth
ing but the question which she regret
ted ss soon as 1t had passed her lips.
did you enjoy yourselff"
A change passed. over his face, and b
answered with an embarrassed air:
Perhaps you wouldn't call it enjoy
mept, Margaret. I don't know. Some
times wish 1 could think and act liz
YOU do. / would at least be spared ii
misery of regret, and I daresay woul
be happier.
Indeed you would she interpose
quickly. Not to think and act as 1
precisely. 1 do not mean that, OF cours
because could never set myself up
an example; but If you would on
be different. II you would not do Il
things which bring regret.
THAT Is easily said, Margaret.
should be perfect If that were the cas-
i am unfortunate in the possession OF
discoptented nature. and 1t can't be we
helped now. l believe people are bo
to certain things, and l am born
nothing, There's Wilson. / was tai
ing to him the other day. He's a go'
fellow. but crank in his way. ca
him a natural doctor. Takes to it like
duck to water, and is in his eleme
when he's tending lot OF sick, dir
children. or course people ADM
those things; call him noble unse ats
ma nh rnau. wen, 40, TO. Ieu
can't do what he does. I'm OF dinere
oaliber. suppose. Some time ago
told me he could get me in a hospit
IT was q splendid opening, no dou
md any number OF fellows were hung
for IL. So / told him I'd be charitat
and let some other poor devil have
He couldn't understand my reius
Whv? Because his ideas and hah
aro different from mine. am sorrI
Is 80.
and I am sorry you have thro
away so many advantages, Brian. !
really shame. ! can have no patie'
Rrian was silent under this outoul
Marraret's ideas might be right In
abstract. but he had no desire 70 pr
tically apply them to himself.
AVON blame me for a very coma
f,,linc he said after moment. In
are any number OF men in New YORK
dav who have no business OF any ~
They are well-to-do, OF course. anI u
End plenty to fill their time. a.
however, it is differept' There are no
versions, and one
Must 60 to the city to seek tnem.
understand. said Margaret. un
the circumstances it Is surPrls
that YOU honor Elmwood at all.
not take up your residence In New fol
He regarded her with moro than !
Prise. a~ran
nentq" he asked, with much war;
ara you SO ready and anxious TO %
of ne? How would you like the me-
borhood to discuss our affairs. ana