The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-18
rNCE EAST CARROLL PARISH La SATURDAY, 1892

rived In front of the Hoffman House he
ran across Wilson, and feeling rather
glad of this chance encounter he greeted
him warmly. Il
This is really the first moment &!
could call my own to-day" declared
Wilson, taking a cigar from the case
BERTHE offered him. Where is your
destinations"
Il was just trying to decide, wac
Bertie's answer. Il dropped in to see
Margaret, and haven't recovered from
the shock her appearance gave me yet
I never saw her look more wretched and
i'll, though / am inclined to think the
cause Is not entirely physical.
"No. Other influences at work. How
die you leave herr
Alone" was the sententious reply.
Alone" repeated Wilson. Then,
Brian-?"
as off dlsgracing himself, responded
BERTHE with much anger. He ought to
be thrashed.
Wilson's face grew very grave.
II had hoped things might be better,
he said, with sigh.
"They will never be better l be.
iieve Brian has lost his last grain Oh
manhood. He Is worse than coward.
If he had heartless, selfish wife there
might be some reason, though never an
excuse for his actions. But now there
is absolutely nothing that one can say
tor him. He is simply breaking Mar
garet's heart. II you had seen her
year ago you could realize what q
| change these last months have wrought
| in her. 1t is his doing; ell his doing.
| After she has left her home, her friends,
| and all she loves, for his sake. My
| heart swelIs with indignation at the
| thought. l know how she loves Elm
| wood. and dislikes New York. Yet
after all this. she'll continue to talk OF
| duty. Women are enigmas; l give
them UP. I'd like to thrash Brian,
though. 1t might possibly do him
good"
Il can't understand him, remarked
Wilson, half absently.
| mo, nor can any one else. He doesn't
| seem worth the understanding, I'll
have to find him somehow, and send
| him home. / can't bear the thought oil
Margaret waiting in such anxious dread,
not knowing whether he is tumbling
about in the gutter or disgracing him.
self in some other way. Are we at your
quarters already? How fast We must
have walked No; 1 can't come in to.
| night. Some other time, old fellow
| ri have to make the round of the clut
houses, I dare say. Well, goodnight.
BERTHE did not find Brian, as he hat
expected, In any of his probable haunts
though he went to them all, anxiousl.
examined the sea OF faces, and ever
questioned the walters and attendants
Rather disheartened after this vail
search, he scarcely knew where to g.
next. In his dilemma, he was in tn
act Of turning street corner when thu
full glare of the street lamps falling
upon a figure in front of him REVEALED
something very familiar in its outlines
Brian" he said, under his breath
Yes. Brian-walking with the uncertain
gait that only confirmed his fears. II
thought Of Margaret, and angry indig
nation overpowered him; but this sam
thought brought another, and under 1t
impulse he managed to control himself
With few hasty strides he was b
Brian's side, and, placing his han
rather heavily upon his shoulder, b
asked, roughly:
Where are you going? Como homer
Homer" repeated Brian, startled Int
understanding and shrinking unde
Bertie's glance. Home to face her
Never. A few days ago I promised hi
/ would not touch another drop. fe!
promised. A farce, wasn't it? Solemn
promised. You see mo tonight. q
home. YOU say. Go home 10 see HI
,, shrink from me! To see her blush Il
,, mel To see All, heavens, no"
These words made TO impression Q
, BERTHE.
: Don't add villsiny 10 cOwardico,' b
, said, with flashing eyes. Come, L sa.
, II you have no self-respect, remcmb'
: her, and have at least the decency
hide your disgrace under your own roc
, You shall not break her heart; you sha
, not ruin her life. I'll shoot you first.
! Ruin her life," echoed Brian, buryir
his face in his hands. MY God, ] d
not intend to ruin her life"
BERTHE said no more. Perhaps ev'
=, he felt some pity for Brian's evide
agony, or perhaps he feared that wor
i. now would express too much Of the a
T ger which burned within him. Tho
. are men who can never understand {
L depths to which others can fall.
:. Quito silent he walked by Brian, 81
= only left him when the door had clos
4 upon him.
From her own room Margaret hea
J tho faltering step, and knew that Bri
a had come, but even the great RELIEF
this knowledge did not bring her slice
All night she tossed rcstlessly, her mi
3 @ prey to miserable doubts and hopeie
longings, and when morning came
L face told it's own story.