The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-07-15

10 COMBAT these dlfilcultleS, considered
it his duty to call in another physician.
was, therefore, summoned. | found
the case, as my colleague had found it,
most extraordinary one. There was
not only physical weakness to combat,
but mental depression mental depres-
sion of so terrible and gloomy a char
acter, that both Monsieur Leruce and
myself feared that should we even sue
coed in preserving the life of the pa
tent, we might fail in saving his rea-
son. -
How terrible! how terrible!' said
Ellinor.
During the three days and nights in
which | have attended him." continued
the DOCTOR "we have not succeeded
until this evening in obtaining an inter-
val of consciousness; but throughout the
delirium our patient has dwelt upon two
or three subjects, which, though of
different character, may be by some
chain of circumstances connected into
the one source of his great mental
wretchedness. Throughout his wan
behring's one name has been necessarily
upon his lips"
"And that name is-p'
"Ellinor Daltonln
"My own namep'
Yes, madam, your name, coupled
with perpetual entreaties for pardon;
for forgiveness of a great wrong--a
wrong done long since, and scrupuious-
ly concealed"
"A wrong done! If this is the per-
son suspect it to be, he never, never
was anything but the truest friend to
me; but for PHYS sake, let me see him.
This torture of suspense is killing me.'
lone moment, madame | had some
difficulty in finding you, but mentioning
everywhere the name of the lady OF
whom | was in search, | fortunately
happened to make the inquiry of friend
of your aunt's. This good, devoted
Louise, here, was ready to set out on
her errand of mercy, and thought that
you might feel, perhaps. more conf
dence in her than in me-
At this moment the door of commune
cation between the two apartments was
softly opened, and the other doctor en-
tered f.a.8I.
81 have prepared the patient for your
visit, madame" he said; "but you
must guard against shock to your own
feelings in seeing him. He is very ILL.,"
9 In danger?" asked Ellinor.
ger!'' = ool1 -
Throughout the brief interview
with the physician, Ellinor Dalton had
said to herself: Whatever it is that
must be endured by me, l will bear it
bravely-for his sake l will bear it
bravely." Her handsome face was
white as death-the firm, thin lips rig.
idly locked over the closely-shut teeth
the dark and mournful gray eyes tear
less and serene, but her heart knocked
against her breast so loudly, that she
seemed to hear the heavy throb of its
every pulsation in the stiffness of the
room.
Her worst presentiments were real
lied.
Horace Margrave lay with his head
thrown back upon the piled-up pillows,
and his attenuated hand stretched list
lessly upon the eider-down counterpane
which was wrapped about HIM. His
head was bound with wet linen, over
which his nurse had tied handkerchief
OF scarlet, whose vivid hue made his
white face seem by the contrast still
more CHASTITY. His dark brown eyes
had lost the dreamy expression usual to
them, and had the br ght and feverish
luster Of disease. They were fixed,
with haggard and earnest gaze, upon
the door through which E!linor entered.
Sat last!' he cried; with an hysterical
cry. sat lastp' 'raIL
She pressed her hand tightly over her
beating heart, and, falling on her knees
by his bedside, said to him, very quietly:
Horace--Horace! what is thisp WHY
why do | find you thus?' r,aHlt
lie fixed his great lustrous eyes upon
her, as he answered. OH. ,,.-
What is it, Ellinorp Shall 1 tell
your .Jf ..,-.
"Yes--yes! if you can tell me with
out unnerving YOURSELF '7''".
/" Unnerving myselfr' He laughed
with bitter, unnatural cadence. Gun
nerve myself-look at thatr' He
stretched out one thin, half-transparent
hand, which trembled like an aspen leaf,
until he let it fall listlessly upon the
quilt. For four years, Ellinor, have
been slowly burning out my life in one
long nervous fever, and you tell me not
to unnerve myself" ''
He gave me a restless, impatient sigh,
and, tossing his weary head back upon
the pillow, turned his face to the wall.
Ellinor Dalton looked round the room
in which this brilliant, all-accomplished,
admired and fascinating Horace Mar
grave had lain for eleven dreary days
eleven dreary nights. 1a" H,
1t was small apartment, comforta-
bly, furnished, and heated by a stove.
On the table by the bedside a Book of
Hours lay open, with a rosary thrown
across the PAGE where the reader had