The Penn's Grove record., 1885-05-16


shat it's wise to let Maggie go alone
to see that poor lad. Folk will get talk
ing. Thomas.
1t is the sight of Maggie's figure dis
appearing down the drive that has
prompted this remark and also brought
a look of perplexity to Mrs. Lorton's
cOmely features.
eLet her he, Mary; let Maggie be.
Folk may wag their tongues off before
III say a word to stop her. It's "A poor
thing if, after a fellows rlsked his life
for her, she's not to go anigh him, and
he at deaths door,"
II can manage once III the day" con-
tinues Mrs. LOrtOn, and | wouldn't
miss for worlds; but Maggie's for run
ming down there at all hours, just to see
if there's any change. 1t would be diff
ferent if he was himself and could re-
cognize Us; but, dear heart, | don't be-
lleVe he'd know his own mother if she
was to come from the grave to himl"
"Come, wife, let Maggie be, say.
If anything was to happen him, you'd
be glad we hadn't left him to strangers"
Goodness knows, | wouldn't be
likely to neglect him. Thomas. Even
if it wasn't for his saving Maggie, |
| couldn't care for one of my W kin
more than L do for him. Pm sure,
when they got him out, and l saw him
all cut and torn and bruised, so that
you'd hardly know him to be a human
being at all-Oh, dear, it makes me feel
all Of "a shake again to think of it'll
never thought he'd breathe again. He's
a wonderfully clever nan IS Doctor
Jenkins. It's dreadful TO think it might
have been our Maggie, isn't it?"
In the meantime Maggie is seated by
the b bedside of Dennis Lynne-such an
altered, mangled Dennis Lynnei His
dearest friend would with difficulty IT.
cognIze him. Tears gather in Maggie's
eyes as they fall upon the poor disig-
ured features. She has been sitting
there quite mo~tionless for some time.
"Eh, but this'Il do him a power o.
goodl" whispers the nurse. won't
ye take something, miss. You've been
sitting here a good bit"
But Maggie puts her finger to her lip,
and motions her away.
The afternoon sun streams into the
room, and the nurse rises to close the
Venetian blinds. Suddenly Maggie be-
comes conscious that the eyes of the
sleeper are unclosed-then that they are
liked wonderingly upon her face; and,
Heaven be praised, the light of intelll-
gence is in theml
'tMaggiel' comes the feeble whisper.
"Am l dreaming?"
"No, Dennis, / am here-be quiet
now; you are not to speak, " says Mag
gle, wondering at her W calmness.
So a look of perfect peace and dreamy
happiness spreads over Dennis Lynpe's
pale face,
The sick man mends but slowly,
which is not a matter of surprise to
most people, who wonder that he mend
at all.
At last come the convalescent days.
Upon the frst.of these he lies, covered
up with rugs, Upon a couch which has
been wheeled into IN adjoining room.
Welcome down again, MI. Lynnel"
cries Maggie gaily, as she enters, bring
ing with her delicious CLEANS of fresh
ness from the outside world. "But you
have too strong a light upon your face.
Help me, Mrs. Dodd, to turn the head
of the couch. T~here-isn't that bet
teI?"
ssWhere did you learn to be such a
good nurse, Maggie2" asks Dennis, with
a sigh of content. Come and sit
where | can see you. Now talk to me-"
''Then I'll leave you to attend to Mr..
Lynne, Miss Lorton, " says the nurse,
'while 1 go and see to things below a
Bit"
"You're to be quick and get strong,
Dennis; we're going to give you a fort
night, say, to do it in. We've been lay
ing our heads together. and we've made
all sorts of plans for YOU"
"Have your You are all very kind.
What are they?"
"Well, in the first place, we are gong
to take you away with us. You know
Doctor jenkins advises a more bracing
atmosphere, and papa wants a holiday,
SO it is arranged that we are all to go
together-not very far off, because you
must not be fatigued with travelling.
We want to find some nice quiet little
watering place, " says Maggie, knitting
her brows in p~erplexity; land 1t seems
about as difficult to light upon as the
philosophers stone. Have you any
choice, Dennis2"
s'None in the world, Maggie" he an
swers.
s'Then we'll fix it all ourselves. We
shall see you grow stronger and stronger
every day, and the salt sea breezes will
soon bring the color into your cheeks"
"Maggie, 1 saw myself in the glass
to-day for the first time"
ssThen you are not so conceited as"
"Don't, Maggie don't joke; you
know what l mean" A painful flush
covers the poor disigured face.
s'Poor Dennisi" murmurs Maggie.
"But wait a blt-wait until we have
had you by the sea-"
II don't think / shall ever go to the
sea-"
mot go to the seal Why not, Den
nis2"
81 don't see how l am to get there"
he says. with a CHASTITY attempt at a
smile. Isl must stop at home and learn
how 20 use crutches first. l am lame,
Maggie shall be lame for life"
Strive as he will, his voice trembles,
and he breaks down now and shades his
face with his hands. There is silence
for a little time. Maggie will not dis
tress him by letting him see how terri
bly, she is shocked. She makes a great
effort to appear calm. -.
doctor Jenkins did not tell us So"
she says presently.
II told him not--I wanted to tell you
myself" explains Dennis, recovering
himself.
But you are quite sure. Dennis?
May there not be some mistaken" III
quires Maggie.
Il Wish / could think So" says Den
mis- with a long. drawn breath; then,
after a pause--''It isn't that l care 50
very much about ia fellows a cow
ard who cannot look a thing like this
in the face without perpetual whimper-
ing; but, Maggie, you remember what
YOU said that day in the boat?"
''Oh. Dennis, don't remind me of itP'
cries Maggie sharply.
well, you know | have never given
up hoping, l have waited and watched;