The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-12-01
" ONE OF THREE"
CHAPTER IX.-CoNr1NuEp.
by JESSE FoTHERGILL,
author of "Probdtion," THE Welfelds," Etc

CHAPTER IX.-CoNr1NUED.
The lamp stood on the table at the
opposite side of the bed, and as the boy
spoke, Margaret saw that a shadow
came between her and the light. Look
ing up, she saw opposite to her a man's
figure, on the face of which her own
eyes rested, impelled by she knew not
what strange fascination. In after
days, she always maintained that it was
some occult power which produced
upon her the vivid impression she GER
tainly experienced on first beholding
him. He, bGing given to seeking the
causes of things within the limits of eX-
perience, as firmly opposed this theory
of hers. reminding her that he was a
medical man, and assuring her that the
hour, the circumstances and her own
state of intense, highly wrought excite
ment, were enough alone to influence
her impressions make every small
sound appear like clap of thunder,
and to turn every hue into scarlet
blaze. Be that as it may, Margaret
gazed at him, while he stood looking
down into the boys face with q consid-
crate, musing expression, and then, as
he looked up, Margaret found pair of
reflective eyes fixed upon her own, and
a rather slow. gentle voice. said
my work is taken out of my hands,
this time, | find" ....t
Rupert's eyes had closed again. He
appeared satisfied with the long and
silent look he had received. Turning
his head to one side, and still holding
Margarets hands, he heaved a deep
sigh of contentment. The lids dropped;
the puckered brow smoothed; the
mouth, with its expression of pain and
fear, relaxed into a more peaceful
curve. He slept. Margaret hardly
knew it; she knew not how weak and
faint she herself was Mechanically
she gazed up into the doctor face, and
it was with kind of sigh that she at
last said:
Il fancied could manage him, and
1 have succeeded almost better than /
expected"
''You have succeeded in completely
exhaustng yourself at the same time, -
he replied. "Come and sit down. "
He loosed Margaret's hands from
Rupert's clasp, saying, with hall
smile, " Poor little chap He clutches
at strong hand as drowning man
clutches at straw"
Margaret stood upright, and was
about to say that she supposed there
was nothing more to be done, and that
she might go; but her limbs suddenly
failed her. She staggered little, and
caught hold of the rail at the top OF
Rupert's little bed. The young man
Remarked:
''Rest little. 1t is the first time.
You will get more used to it by de-
grees-that is Yin lower tone" il
you bide it out None of the others
have been able to do So
Margaret repressed the sobs which
emotional reaction sent crowding to
her throat.
Poor, poor boy!" she said. land
he lives in the shadow of such blight
such visitation-as that! Better fan
be dead''
Yes" said he, slowly. He was lean
ing with his back against the mantel-
piece, with folded arms, looking down
upon her. "Your nerve, l am glad tC
see, is pretty cool, Miss-a-oh, beg
your pardon! l believe | do not know
your name"
my namep" she echoed, starting
visibly, and going on hesitatingly. 'Oh
Margaret Percival."
"Ah! You seem to have pretty good
nerve, Miss Percival. That being so,
may tell you the truth. His mother
does not know it. The boy probably
will die. 1t is the best-the only-hope
one can express for him, that he should
do So"
THAT is terrible"'
at is very hard upon him and upon
them A. yes"
lit must have been you whom he
sleant when he told me he had FRIEND
whose hands were stronger than mine
ind who could make him do what he
liked"
Baldwin smiled.
"Yes, am that friend
"And have you that power ovsl
Limp"
IL believe TO-"