Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-14


nothiag had transpired to- disturb his
equanimity. Mary busted herself put
ting on. her light mantle, holding 1t so
as to present an efectual scseen 10 Lucy's
mischieyous glances.
After Chester had favored them with
some battle scenes and scraps of remin-
iscences of the old world. they arose to
90. Chester asked the favor of Mary to
remove a ring which was on bis left
hand. and put it on his right. This she
did easily, as the hand was not bandaged |
further than a turn between the thumb |
and fore-fngsr, Lucy expressed great |
fears that Chester would be hurt in the |
| operati on; but he said, with bat sor-
| ry show at jecularity, that he preferred
| its being done by a friend to having it
done in professional way. The fact
was. it was o little stratagem on his part
to make Mary understand perfectly what
he feared he might not have conveyed to
her by what he had said before.
d After this episode, they left, with ma
nv hopes that he, would soon recover,
il which Mary joined; and, although
h6r words were in the mere common
} place form, there was pathos in their
tone which betokened that emotion
!. which was so near akin to love.
A Mary Hyde had very little to say on
their way home, and Lucy respected her
) silence, as she OWNED the cause, or, at
any rate, thought that she did.
=, They sat in their room for some time
before any reference was made to their
!, visit Mary spoke first.
e DO YOU think that there is chance
of Mr.. Fielding losing his hand, Lucy ]!
e, she said, with an effort.
1t Hew should [ know, my darling
of replied Lucy, putting her arms arount
ct her. and pressing her closely.
W But did not brother say anything
ep about it
I'd Lucy laid her head on Mary's shoul
~ der, and made no answer.
- 4 know what he said, Lucy feare
in as much, from your unusual silence
w Oh! God what pity--how sad-hoT
sgs TesrS zane, tIen sobss and 18th tll
~ But - -vsr.,s ...-i<s any. difSsrsren'
with you, will ii, Mary said Luc
n when She had sufficiently. recovered ht
ice self to speak He is so handsome, a
is Pm sure he loves you devotedly;
the can't help it-sverybody does
my Mary started. Who said that | 10
ct ed him, Lucy I am sorry for hi
my ard Lucy put her hand playful
AXE on Mary's lips. Now, I'm not going
md let you te any fbs; ]. Won't ask y
ave any questions, so you needn't. Y
any know what the old nursery rhyme say
u Do you think you can deceive me, J
oks foolish girl? So don't think disagree
sent BILE thoughts; it may not be necessa
lpa- you know, and if it is, there are
Will handsome face and pretty eyes-and
only the left hand And many conso
net tons of this sort did Lucy offer her frie
und nor would she allow Mary to enter a
! in protest against these being made on
ards supposition that she had any feeling
wards Chester except that of pity.
rad Soon after the girls had left Chest
l. ont room the Surgeon came in. He did
hart like the condition in which he found
~ patient; he was.feyerish and. excltsC
- - Chester told him without reservs W
s1s0 had happened, and asked if~fiis incres
aaal- fever might have not resulted fren
: The Surgeon shook his head Efs
- afraid that it was something more g
'..Su Gus than that; and after, close exa
5eo nation of the wound, he told Che
= ! - that he was afraid his hand could not
= n,S saved; however, he would bring S
SUI geon friend of his in the afternoon,
W. they would talk over it; he certa
W. W. should do everything to'save it.
- Chester was not shocked at the
q. ~ geon's words; he had anticipated t
: aod ol4i His knowledge of surgery was slight
- - ly what any man of education ane
~ .. seryatien would pick up, but he
49, 49, convinced, on applying to his own
pas. that there was but little hope,
:, IT The evening came: q beautiful b
ha hs :. evening; but it was as drear to On
no.' as if the west glowed not with Nat
aeeV, brightest colors, nor star broke thI
-. the blue, unclouded zenith.
', az, The surgeons had como and gone
'iial with them, the last hope. Abner
fo,.se' heard their verdict, and had 'striy
l'slo say something consolatory to his I
ahec1 but making miserable fai lure, hs
a1 ms 10 content himself with patting CI
sno gently on the shoulder. You'll b
fuPleu like man, Chess, you'll bear it
3 you, man. he said, with a great gulph
let me -, 70 ,ho w;ndox but saw nathl
ohly film seemed to come over his eyes
It may made violent use of his handkerchi
asked Chester if he should sen
theless, some supper, though hs telt it
ain by nockery. To his surprise, Chest
ne and he would take some in cheerful