Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-01-03


AsdRor of "Probatfon," "Ths Welfslds," Etc
CHAPTER M.-CoNr1NUEp.
The lamp stood on the table at the
opposite side of the bed, and as the boy
spoke, Margaret saw that shadow
came between her and the light. Look
ing up, she saw opposite to her mans
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. being given to seeking the
causes of things within the limits of sx-
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
mert, were enough alone to influence
her impressions-to 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 consid-
crate, musing expression, and then, as
he looked up, Margaret found pair of
reflective eyes fixed upon her own, and
q rather slow. gentle voice. said:
!. ''My work is taken out of my hands,
this time, find.''
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
Margaret's 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 doctors face, and
it was with kind of sigh that she at
last said:
81 fancied could manage him, and
I have succeeded almost better than /
expected"
"You have succeeded in completely
yourself at the same time,",
he replied. ''Come and sit down."
He loosed Margaret's hands from
Rupert's clasp, saying, with half
smile, So Poor little chap He clutches
at strong hand as drowning man
sCiutcueS dG 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
Rupert's little bed. The young man
fastened to her. led her to a chair, and
remarked:
crest a little. It is the first time.
You will get more used to it by de-
grees-that is-"-in a lower tone--"if
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. "And
he lives in the shadow of such a blight
such visitation-as that Better far
be deadr'
YES" said he. slowly. He was lean
ing with his back against the mantel-
piece. with folded arms, looking down
upon her. "Your nerve, am glad to
see. is pretty cool. Miss-a-oh, beg
your pardon! believe / do not know
your name"
"My nameP' she echoed, starting
visibly, and going on hesitatingly. ooh!
Percival-Margaret Percival."
"Ahl You seem to have pretty good
nerve, Miss Percival. That being so, I
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 terribler'
cit is very hard upon him and upon
them an-yes."
..It must have been you whom he
meant when he told me he had a friend
whose hands were stronger than mine,
and who could make him do what he
liked. /"
Baldwin smiled.
Eyes, am that friend"
"And have you that power over
himP"
II believe So"
Margaret could not tell what impulse
prompted her next words:
do not use that power against me!
Do not make him dislike me!''
"Why should I?'' he asked. as if sur
prised. There are few things / dis
deceit or falsehood, or-ah! believe /
see what you mean.
at mean, that however much he may
grow to dislike me, yet / shall never be
In your way-never displace you, for he
Is heart and soul yours"
eyes, I know that" said Baldwin,
with peculiar smile.
Here Mrs. Lascelles came into the
room, a glass of wine in her hand,
which she begged Margaret to take. but