The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-11-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
A LINK IRON THE OLD LIZA

0OOu-ul6ut, uV iCte thCA'
CHAPTER XVIII.
LINK FROM THE OLD LIFA
AS Margaret hoped and expected,
| Berthe put in an appe arance two evenings
| Iater-the same light-hearted, CHEEKY
| BERTHE, with his never-failing good
| humor and his almost inexhaustible
| store Of news and gossip, to carry her
! back to her home and let her feel, in
| imagination at least, something OF its
] old pleasures and interests.
| Changes In small place are always
| more significant and Of more general
| interest than those in a great city.
where the identity Of the individual Is
| lost in the great labyrinth Of humanity,
| and Margaret, whose affection absence
had only Increased. took keen delight
| in hearing not only Of the friends she
! had left but of even the slightest occur
| renee about Elmwood and its surround
ings. and, in return, BERTHE wanted to
hear about herself.
This city air has not brought the
| roses to your checks, he said. L hope
| YOU haven't developed such fondness
for it that you will be sorry to come
back to us.
Never, BERTHE; my mind can never
| even imagine such possibility. In the
first place, don't like New York, IL
| actually hate 1t, though shouldn't tell
anyone but you; and, in the second
| place. I love EImwood dearly. Then
| there are things L enjoy there which
cannot have here; my rides, for one
thing. Occasionally l have ride In
the park, but 1t isn't the same as at
| home. Here one must go at q certain
gait. and people ride awkwardly, too,
/ think. suppose it is the fashionable
way, but it isn't half SO graceful. to see
them pounding their saddles, one might
say. 1t really tries me to look at them.
The park is beautiful, though. New
York may well be proud OF 1t. l have
been around great deal. Brian takes
me everywhere. and usually enjoy the
places we visit.
And Brian?" questioned BERTHE, meet
ing her eye.
Her head dropped slightly. BERTHE
saw the action. He left his chair and
came to her.
Tell me, Margaret" he said. placing
his hand upon her shoulder, 1T isn't SO
hard for you to answer"
No" she replied in low voice, III
should not be so hard now. My heart
has ached, oh, SO terribly, and l have
, been hopeless and despairing, because
/ was alone-so helplessiy alone. All,
know what you would say. l have
friends. Yes, such true friends. Dc
|, YOU think 1 ever doubted them, Bertiei
But YOU can understand that there are
sorrows which none can share. Lately
have been more encouraged. he mas
): left me so little, but last night he was
later than usual, and tonight he is
Q not here-at all.
. Her head dropped still lower and his
Q hand fell until it rested on hers will
9 a gentle, reassuring sympathy in Its
b touch.
y All may be right he said with al
!. effort at consolation.
d Perhaps, she answered. I can oni,
}. hope, and if it should not be, the disap
e po:ntment will be so bitter. Last nigh
+ he did not seem perfectly himself.
Il tried to believe ] imagined it, but an
l. afraid / showed something In my 40
o tions. l tried 80 hard, too-so hard no
e to let him see.
>. why should you have trled9" crie'
70 Bertie' pressing his lips hard. 'Wh.
n should YOU consider him? You hav
a feelings, too. Must they always b
outraged"
Margaret ralSeu ueT eyes ab thi
IL strong expression OF his thoughts.
Il think women can't consider thei
feelings, Bertie, she returned, with
q, sigh. 1T seems to me that, no matte
how hard or how bitter 1t may be, the
ST can never get beyond the range Of duty
81 / think We grow to be hypocrites in
DR. way. We are so often. obliged to hid
n, our hearts. I know I have often smile
nv brightest when my eyes were burn
8, ing with tears / held back. ! suppos
Q, the baptism of sorrow must touch
ID all. and l only hope that 1t may was
u. put all that should not be in my Life
st and make me drawer and stronger II
8. what is to come. Are you leaving M
IN BERTHE? I'm afraid you find me ver
:. doleful.
u Il leave you, Margaret, to find hin
~ I cannot bear to sit here and hear yo
~ talk and There: I'll act like bah
~ oext. Margaret, you are a dear, ora'
- girl. Long ago, when
W Before you thought ! should gro
y. into such q sedate young woman, Il
70 terrupted Margaret, hastily. We us'
-. TO fight gloriously in those days, didn
US wep Uncle fancied / should always
ey a tomboy. wonder II he would reco
20 nize me now?'
nc She finished with sigh, and the iig
~ words had held such deep meaning tn
:. Berthe found 1t hard to meet the ey'
90 she raised so bravely to his.
y, $50 long ago2" he said, half absentl
We mot quite six years since l first So
w YOU. I remember the day SO perfectl
You were just home from college, a.
vou had two cats tied together by t
-. tails. / thought you such cruel DO
as Well, you want to go? / shall see y
"a again, sha'n't I? You are like orea
from Elmwood, BERTHE.
You will see me again. and 500
'n' Margaret. Now look me in the ia
g. and promise me that the day shall ney
:. come when you will cease to regard
o ms a brother. There; goodnight; yo
81 tears pain me. God forgive Brian
he cannot. .u.
nd Once upon the street. BERTHE Walk
nst along, absorbed IN thought This Of
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