The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-08-10
CHAPTER II.


"Are the burns dangerous, doctor? had
much rather you would say so than keep me
in suspense"
"Not very in fact scarcely at all. With
care and good nursing she'll be all right
again in weeks time
THANK God for that !" These words,
spoken in a deep tone of heartfelt gratitude,
was the first sound Margaret heard distinct
ly after recovering consciousness What was
the matter? What has happened? She had
a confused idea of something horrible hav-
ing occurred, but what it was she knew not.
She tried to raise her head from the bed on
which she was lying, but fell back with
cry of pain All her limbs were stiff and
| aching; there was a strange sensation about
her throat and chest, while the hand which
she mechanically put up to assist her was
swathed in big cloths. AT her cry some one
| quickly came to the bedside, and stopped
over her. II was her husband.
"Do you know me, darling?" he asked in
low, tender tones.
| For a moment she looked at him with
wide-open staring eyes. Then all seemed to
come back to her clearly, distinctly. Again
she uttered cry-not one of pain now but
of extreme thankfulness.
"O Bertie," she sobbed, "I thought you
were dead-murdered you know" she added
in low, frightened whisper,
He smiled reassuringly. 81 am safe and
well. l wish could say as much for you
poor darling.
She tried again to raise her hand and this
time looked wonderingly at the bandage
that preventen her. He perceived her look
of inquiry. .......
"Dont raise it, he said in the same low,
reassuring tones 1t will soon be well again;
but for the present you must be very care
full, and neither raise nor touch it."
"What is the matter? What has hap
pened ?" +.
"Don't you know? poor darling, poor dar
ling; keep perfectly quiet and l will tell
/ you. 1t seems you fell asleep by the fire
J and had some ugly dream that prevented
your waking. A spark of the fire must have
alighted on your dress, which fortunately
; being of thick material, had not time to ig-
mite very quickly. Thank Heaven / arriv ed
| ust in time to save you, though not before
your poor little hands had become somewhat
= blistered. Your chest is little hurt, in fact
t not much assure you. In fact the doctor
f says it's mere bagatelle. You see with my
: famous nursing you'll be quite well again in
: a weeks time"
a He had much ado to keep the tears that
= would dart to his eyes, from betraying them
/, selves in his voice. She was silent for mo.
: ment, then she said, family
d "Lay your face to mine, darling. l want
= to feel you, to touch you. Close, quite
d close. So. Now tell me-" in hushed
s. whisper, sis my face hurt ?"
|. "Not little! not one bit Are you salts
IS fed ?"
y Quite. Not that would have cared for
1, myself it was for you darling, for you.
1t was afraid you might love me less. Thanks
ID Yes, know, know.
W She pressed her cheek close against hi,
IN own and so lay Cor a moment, mute but hap
py. Then she resumed somewhat anx,
t. iously.
ry "Then all that | thought saw must have
er ucci uIedln' put you your IdCe-l SAN
h. it as plain as could be in the broken win
IN dow"
~ THAT is easily explained. You know tn,
lg windows open to the ground Fortunatel,
| came home sooner than usual that nigh
er as ! feared for you on account of the storm
ID As rode up / saw the havoc the wind haC
ct made, and leaping from my horse came il
ne through the broken window Thank Heav
h. en- | did so ! the sudden current of air haG
es just formed the smouldering spark into lv
ld ing flame. Ugh" he pressed his face near
ey er to hers with shudder. al dare not think
re what would have ensued had not Just then
he arrived"
ly "And now" he resumed in lighter tone
ng 81 must positively forbid you to ask any
IN, more questions All you have to do now il
IN to get well as quickly as possible. So yor
w agree r
to Spite of her pain, she answered back hi
ks smile with interest. Suddenly she looked
all anxious again.
i'll "Well, he asked,
re "Bertie can't rest ill I've told you
IT. | know all about my brother. Oh, BERTHE
nd can you ever forgive me for all the cruel
its shameful, bad"
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