Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1892 — A WOMAN'S INFLUENCE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A WOMAN'S INFLUENCE

LULU JAMISON

CHAPTEK XII —Continued. She bent her head, pretending to examine the gleaming stones, but raised it immediately, 1o say rather slowly: "Tell me what you wish most, and you shall have it.” Brian gave a questioning glanco at her half-averted face. He hesitated, but only for a second. The next he had caught ner In his arms, and holding her against his beatlifg heart he pressed a long, passionate kiss upon her passive lips. She made not the slightest resistance, though her face had grown very white. He laid his own interpretation upon this sign. “You are angry,” he said, allowing her to go at last. “No, no, not angry; that was your i Ghrlstmas gift." She 6poke with an effort and once j more foil to admiring her pin. Brian ; watched her with a longing she felt rather than saw. To avoid his eyes she drew her chair closer to the fire and buried her head in its cushioned back. “It is odd,” remarked Brian, after an awkward pause. “I think the world would smile to know that a husband is only permitted to kiss his wife on Christmas day.” “Some other time we will talk of that, Brian. Not now. It will only stir up old discords." “There is always the shadow of discord between us, ” was the answer given with a sigh. “Heaven .knows I should like to be a different man; but as I must be what I am, why can we not be happy together?” “Are you unhappy?” “You know I am. What pleasure can you find in hearing me say no! You know your love is the ono thing I long for. Yet you will kill yourself in the interest of others, while for mo —° He paused with a passion more eloquent than wow&. Margaret could not reply immediately. A strange, nervous weakness benumbed her faculties, and she waited for a stronger moment w answer his reproaches. “You speak unjustly,” she said at last, with great effort. “I do not take pleasure in your unhappiness. If you knew bow utterly exhausted I am, you would spare such remarks. They pain me. I —I can’t bear them now. ” She had risen from her chair with the last words, and with sudden trembling swayed as though she would faint. “Margaret!” ho cried, catching her in his arms, “tell me the trouble. ” “lam only tired,” was the answer, with a half sob as her head rested for a second on his shoulder. "Only very kjred. ” “I have been a brute,” he rejoined, penitently. “I should have seen you were ill. Let me do something for you, darling.” “Oh, no, Brian; I thank you. I shall be better when I have slept. I need only that, I think. I must say goodnight now.” With a sigh he let her go from him, and she moved away unsteadily; but coming back under the Impulse of an after-thought, she said, very slowly: “Brian, won't you try to believe that want to see you happy and contented, and that I try very hard to make you so? If I am not a better woman it is not because I do not strive to be.” “No more,” cried Brian, with much warmth. “Margaret, you hurt me. Not to win your love, but to be worthy of it, that should be my ambition. You are too good for me, I —- Good-night." CHAPTEK XIV. A BITTER REVELATION. The old year died amid the festivities incident 10 the season, and the new year was already a week old; but still Margaret had not regained her old-time spirits. Brian was at first anxious and then annoyed. It was too bad of Margaret to look so pale and thin, when he liked to see her strong and well. Thus he argued with man’s sublime selfishness. *1 wish you would tell me what is the matter with you,” he said, rather sharply, at bivakfastone morning. “You say you feel strong. You will not allow me to prescribe for you, nor will you see Dr. Philips; and yet you go around looking like a ghost. I can’t understand it.” “There is no necessity for trying. Brian. I was never rosy in my best days, and people often grow thin from Very simple causes. Will you pass me a roil, please?” “You need not try to deceive me,” put in Brian, complying with her request. “It is well enough to talk of being pale and growing-thin from simple causes. I know there is a reason for your Indisposition. The place is dull enough, dear knows. I think you might try to be cheerful, if only for my sake..” Margaret’s lips twitched. Her temper had been tried by several circumstances that morn ng, and now Brian’s complaints capping the climax, put her in a mood for retaliation. “I wish you had thought of the dullness before you married me,” she retorted with the bitterness that filled her breast. “I suppose you are angry now. I know you’ll drive me mad. I wish I could hate you.” “Don’t quarrel, please. I don’t like it. If you do not find sufficient to interest you at home, it is not my fault, and I will not bear the blame.” Her eyes flashed as that determined will passed her lips. “Are you goir.g to the city again?" “Yes, to-morrow.' I can’t stand more than a little of this life at a time.” “Nor of my company,” added Margaret, rather bitterly. “You are complimentary, decidedly.” “As to standing, your company, Margaret, you know my feeding perfectly well. It is of the place, not you, I complain. What under heaven can a sane man do here?" “What can he da in the c*ty? What do you do there?' Margaret asked this qt estion very quietly. “Whatnan one do?” repeated Brian, ignoring the personality. “Bather ask: What can’t he do? New York life is so flexible, my dear, that it bends to every caprice. Wonderful and accommodating both. There’s pleasure for everybody. A thousand amusements o fill up one’s time. Ask a Gothamite how he enjoys himself and hear his answer.” “Then from your accouns I am to assume that enjoyment is the end and aim of his existence. I think your Gothamite's life would not suit me.” “Not if you hold your present principles, certainly. Really, Margaret, you are a most self-opinionated young woman, and I’d be delighted if you would drop one o* two of your theories by the wayside."

"I dare say it would be as well,” was the answer; “they could notfall on more barren soil than your unappreciative mind offers." “Say philosophical rather than unappreolatlve. You must admit that I have reason on my side. Show me the benefit of working one’s self to death, when there is no necessity for it. You only see the surface, Margaret, but I go deeper. ” “On the contrary,” smiled Margaret, “you see only the surface, while I look deeper. You look only at the need of money, but I see a hundred offects in which money has no part. Necessity is a very accommodating term, and has a different shade of meaning for different people. As for working one’s self to death, I’m afraid that is also an accommodating term. A lazy man might consider the slightest exertion a step toward that lamentable end. “I suppose I am that lazy man?" “I shouldn’t be at all surprised. And, setting joking aside, Brian. I do think that no man has a right to do nothing. Lounging about day after day, with no higher ambition than to amuse one’s self would, it seems to me, make a manor woman (mote particularly a man). tired of himself. Now, don’t look at me with that expression, please. I don’t want to be a shrew, or a preacher, either. I detest everlasting preachers, and I don’t intend to be ono. Nevertheless, I wish to gracious you’d find something to do, and have a better reason for going to New York than your present one, which is—well, not particularly creditable.” Margaret’s voice broke slightly, but she tried to hide the momentary weakness by sipping her ooffee. Brian’s face had flushed very visibly at her allusion to the reason of his visits to the city and he, too, went on eating in silence. “Margaret,” he said, presently, “if you have any old men or women who need doctoring call me in and I’ll show you what I pan do. I’m pretty fair, notwithstanding my want of practice. “Very well, Brian,, he prepared for an early call. It is not your ability .1 doubt, though. ” As he had said, Brian went to New York the next day. “I shall be back in a day or so,” he told Margaret on bidding her good-by. “You may expect me," Margaret did expect him, but she was disappointed. The dayß passed, and after his first letter she heard no more from him. She became worried and anxious, though even to herself she would not acknowledge her alarm. She did not dream of bodily harm. Intelligence of such a mishap would have reached her quickly. Yet in some intangible way she felt that he was in danger and needed her.

In cases like this philosophy is of little avalL To tell herself that this or that was impossible, that Brian was merely forgetful and indifferent,- augmented rather than relieved her fears. To relieve her mind she rode over to The Cedars to see and talk with Alice; but upon reaching her destination she was told that Alice had left the house with the intention of returning in a short time. As she had the afternoon at her disposal, Margaret decided to wait; so she found her way to the small room adjoining the library and seated herself in a lounging chair. The house was very silent, and the room unusually warm, and as a consequence Margaret, becoming rather drowsy, was soon quite unconscious of her surroundings. How long she remained so she did not know, but presently she was aroused by loud voioes raised In some altercation. At first they were rather indistinct and seemingly put part of a dream. “Verv well, sir, go to the devil for all I care.” “The Colonel’s voice,” Margaret decided, still unable to shake off the impression of dreaming “What’s the good of your education, I’d like to knqw?” the voice continued. “Do you imagine I gave you the opportunity of reading law for you to give it up when you grew tired? No, sir! This idea of writing that’s turned your head is only another name for doing nothing. Confound me! I believe you want to be like that d scoundrel, Leigh " Margaret started. Was this dreaming? “You are mistaken," came the answer in Bertie’s voice. “I have no desire to emulate Brian in any respect Please credit me with some consideration for Alice." “If you didn’t show more for her than he does for his wife, I’d shoot you with my own hands. He ought to be hung, the sooundrel! Leaving his wife as he has been doing, allowing his domestic affairs to be the talk of the neighborhood and her name to become the subject of discussion with every vulgar gossip in the place, and he galivantlng around the city like a loafer, lounging in clubs mornings, noons, and nights, and drunk at that. Beale saw him the other day lying on the club house steps, too drunk to move. And Margaret has thrown herself away on such a creature. Don’t get so excited, you say? Do you think lam made of stone? Do you think I can talk quietly and calmly when I remember her? Why in the name of heaven do such men have wives? Why in the name of a just heaven should she have such a husband? And why in the name of the devil don’t some one shoot or hang him? Margaret had heard all—every word, the Colonel’s high-pitched denunciations, Bertie’s lower but not less emphatic ones, and now she could hear the Colonel angrily pacing the library, his regular rapid steps seeming to keep time with her quick heart beats.

No. this was not dreaming. She was fully awake. And er.urhing down in her chair she pressed her hands over her eyeß as though she would shut from her sight the shame and disgrace that was actually touching her life. Why had it never occurred to her before? Why had she not guessed that, while she passed her thoughtless, unthinking days in the safety of her own home, he was following a path of ruin amid the gilded temptations of New York? How much of the blame would lie at her door, and what would be the end? Ah! those bitter questions, with their more bitter possibilities! Before her mind rose the memory of l a solemn moment and the never-forgot-ten words: “Don’t forget Brian. Be good to him for my sake." Did she need such memories to make her realize that cow as never before his future, his destiny rested in her hands? She could not sit here and wait quietly for Alice nor could Bhe be found here by either Bertie or the Colonel. She must leave the house unobserved if possible. „ Alas! it was not possible. Scarcely had she reached the hall than Bertie, leaving the library at the same moment, came suddenly upon her. “Margaret,” he said, starting at sight of her. “You here? I did not know. You are in trouble. You are ill. Tell me.” “Heart-sick, Bertie, only heart-sick," she returned, with a hair-sobbing breath, while she caught at the door for support. *1 came 10 see Alice. She is out; I cannot wait longer."

"Ton hare been-waiting then," ha questioned, quite bewildered by hit strange manner. “Margaret," he added, with sudden revation, “you heard." “Yes," she answered, lowering her eyes before his pitying glance. “I was in there and I heard all. I did not know before.”* “Poor child,” he said, with unusual gentleness. “If Brian could only see you now. I wish I could have told you less abruptly. It was cruel. Father will be so sorry. Let me bring him here. He might comfort you, Margaret." Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned rather heavily against the stairway, "No, Bertie, no one can do that. It Is impossible, impossible. 1 think his sympathy would be very hard to bear now. Don’t pity me. Advise me. I feel so helpless. Have you known—long? Why has God sent me this this trouble?" It was hard for Bertie to meet this inquiry calmly. “Not for any desert of yours,” he said, rather huskily. “You ask me if I have known long. I’m afraid I must say yes. The first time I saw Brian not himself—l am hurting you. " “No. Go on, please. Tell me all. It cap make very little difference now." “I was surprised and shocked. I thought of you and I talked to Brian. He promised to do better. I believe he intended to, and I think he tried, but his resolutions are weak and easily broken. Do you remember the day I met you In the road and you remarked upqn my long face? It.was the day before Brian left on this last visit,. I dreaded the result for him, aud I determined to tell you all and lot your persuasions Influence him. But, Margaret, when I saw your face my heart failed me, and I allowed the opportunity to slip. Yet you can remember how earnest I was in begging you to use your influence to keep Brian at home.' Here thb temptation seems to have no power over him. I think your presenoe must be the cause. Unfortunately, though,he loves the allurements of city Ilf*. And you are not there. ” Yii,: “No, but i shall be," returned Margaret, lifting her grateful eyes- to his. “Thank you for showing me the way.," “It is so little to thank me for,” he returned, sadly. “I wish I could do a thousand times more for you. If Brian is' not content to stay with you at Elmwooe, the next best thing is for you to be with him in New York. It will bo a gain for him, but leaving your homd will be a heavy sacrifice for you. Do ybu fell called upon to make it?” He looked kindly in her face, but he 'found, no hesitation there. “A hundred times, If neoessary," she responded. “I had not thought of that part, and I oannot speak of It yet. Will you see that John brings my horse? And remember me to Alice and your father, please.” < “Keep up a brave heart,” he said, as helped her on her horse a few momenta later, “and don’t forgot me if you need a friend, though heaven grant you never niay. ” Margaret nodded. She could not speak, and pressing her hand with sympathetic warmth, Bertie watched her ride away, and then went in to recount to his father all that had passed between them. This served to increase the old gentleman's indignation at what he called Brian’s despicable oonduot. While Bertie talked he paced the room, alternately praising Margaret, whom he loVed HRo a daughter, and condemning Brian, who, In his estimation, had been false alike to the highest principle of manhood and to the honor and respect due to his wife. [TO BE CONTINUED.]