The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-08-26
CHAPTER III-Continued.

~
wise you to return to the village"
Which Is polite way Of expressin,
your wish to be rid of me; but have NJ
desire TO spend the day in those hen
coops. There's the sun now. Blesset
sight! I'm going to movo this shawl W
there where it Is dryer. May l? 1t /.
positively suicidal to sit here. If yol
should be Ill, I'll have to act as Escu.
lapius, for there isn't man of pills ant
squills In the whole village, I'm told
So be warned in time"
1t will be more prudent, no doubt,
admitted Margaret. allowing him tc
move the shawl in question, "but We
can't see the waves SO WELL"
That's no great loss. We know they
are there, which is Just as good. Dc
you know, I've been thinking of you a.,
night. Really, had a strange dream
In which you seemed to be leading me
and some influence compelled me TO fol-
low. Don't look, skeptical, please, and
say nonsense. 1t was all very real, ]
assure you. One of those old men
called you Miss Margaret. Please tell
me if that is your name? have quite a
curiosity to know"
Your curiosity is easily satisfied. My
name Is Margaret.
Thanks. I've always had an odd
fancy for the name. 1t seems to mean
SO much. 1t Is her name, too. Curious,
isn't it?"
Not OF all" responded Margaret
promptly. THE namo is common
enough, dare say"
Perhaps. like it, nevertheless.
only wish she were like you"
Margaret moved impatiently, and re-
Piled with SUSPICION of petulance:
I'm like myself and no one else.
Variety is the spice Of life;' SO please
don't compare me with any unknown
she's.
"Oh, this ones tolerable enough, he
rejoined, and smart, too, / dare say.
She's managed to feather her nest ut
my expense. Perhaps she's gloating
over me at this very moment
= How can you say that?" asked Mar
garet, with some warmth. you have no
right to judge people that way. She
may hate the very sight of the money"
Money!" repeated Brian, in some
surprise. Il said nothing about money"
NO." she returned, thoroughly angry
with herself; "but am sure money has
something to do with the injury you
speak of. l know she isn't SO hateful
as you think her. 1t is neither just nor
right to condemn her unheard."
He laughed at her earnestness. Il
suppose she isn't bad sort" he ad-
mitted, pulling at some seaweed beside
him. Il don't see why you take such
an interest in her, though"
She flushed at these direct words.
Il speak in general terms" she re-
piled, unable to meet his searching
glance. Il simply say you have no right
TO assume certain things, and l wish
you would not run people down in my
presence, especially when don't know
them, and cannot take their part. hate
it; it Is against my principles, and it's
contemplate besidess"
She rose to her feet and walked away
in some excitement, already regretting
her childish warmth.
Tell me about it," she added. i'm
pcriously, returning to her old place.
What did your cousin dor"
! Another mistake. She bit her lips as
the word cousin escaped her, but for
tunately Brian had not noticed it.
"Do?" he echoed, still regarding her
with an amazed expression. She didn't
do anything. Only my father happened
TO think so much of her and 90 little of
me that he left her a fortune and me q
beggarly income to starve ON. No use
living without money either. But I'll
forgive her If she marries me, and I
dare say she will"
The confidence of this assertion was
too much for Margaret.
Didn't l understand you to say you
had never met her?" she asked, in O
voice unnaturally quiet and full of scorn,
that made no impression upon him. He
replied in the most imperturbable man
ner. II
"No, I haven't seen her. that's true;
and"
These words further enraged Mar
garet.
How dare you," she cried, without
giving him chance to complete his |
sentence. Il never heard of such I'M
paralleled impudence in my life. / dare
say you consider your charms so over
whelming that every woman must be
overcome by the bare sight of them. II |
/ were your cousin you would very soon
discover your mistake. A conceited man
Is the very abomination of desolation."
you show your contempt very freely"
Brian, not overpleased with
her remarks. IF l suggest the idea of |
my Cousins marrying me it is because |
of the circumstances. Father would |
have liked it, know. Perhaps he had |
the idea in his head when he made his
will"
Margaret grew paler at these words,
but she did not answer.
And don't you know" Brian con-
tinued, with a spice OF malice, as he
turned lazily In his effort TO see her |
SAGE, "a man can marry any woman he
chooses. provided he goes about it the
right way. No woman can withstand
constant, enduring affection.
Constant, enduring fddlesticks! was
the contemptuous reply. No doubt
your knowledge Of woman, her nature
md capacities, is deep and profound,
but pray spare me your wisdom on the
subject, or may be tempted, like Aunt
Sukey, to jaw back. I dare say your
constant, enduring affection is another
variety Of constant hanging on. would
acspise man eternally around me.
Please don't laugh so loud. I'm not
irving to be amusing.
aNo, I'll wager not. Tell me what
sort OF man you do like. An Admirable
With every virtue under the !
suais