The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-14

"She is unconscious now" said Dr.
Perry, but will soon rally. l am
hoping for the best. 1 wish this medl-
cine given every half hour and this
with the blue label every two hours l
shall call again this evening"
Doctor, 1 shall remain with these
ladies until Mrs. Bonner is better, n
shall take all the responsibilities of a
brother"
Sir, this is something unusual, but
the lady certainly needs such q friend,
and 1 think under the circumstances
it eminently proper. But I shall not
hold out false hopes, for the lady ls
very 10 ?, and 1 have slight hopes OF
her recovery. But should she rally
sufficiently, she should be removed
from this hole"
Never fear, sir; she shall have every
attention."
And 60 Ralph Merton sat by the bed
side Of Mabel Bonner, and gazed upon
the wan features Of one whom he had
loved in early manhood, and had never
ceased to love, while she wavereQ be-
tween life and death.
The third day Mrs. Bonner awoke to
the light of reason. Ralph was hold
ing the wasted hand and, watch in
hand, counting the feeble pulse.
''Am-am-I dreaming?" she falter-
ed. lis it indeed RaIph?'
Yes"
She closed her eyes and sunk into g
sound slumber.
1t IS a bright day in Nay, five months
later, and Mrs. Bonner is seated in the
neat little parlor at Mrs. CoIoton's,
whittier she he'd been conveyed as soon
as she was able to be moved. Her
checks are again flushed with the rose
tint; Myrtle Is in the passageway talk
ing to Phil.
Yes, Pail, won'G it be niece Mr..
Merton says they have discovered gold
on grandfather Wright's place and
that II can be sold for a big sum OF
money, and mother and l are going to
North Carolina to live"
But how would you like to have
Mr.. Merton for a father, CapitoIa97
1T would be much nicer than selling
papers. Don't you think sc?'
~ c g." said Phil. But what am I
to do for SOMEONE to teesa?"
IF you don't hurry you will be late,
and you will get some more lectures
Il know what Ill do, said Phil. I'll
study up and be an editor, and then
come down South aud marry you, and
have you transplanted."
And live happy forever after as th3
fairy stories enQ2'
Here comes Mr.. Merton now" said
Phil, and III leave before | have to see
you kiss him." and he disappeared
down the street as d carriage drew up
in front Of the house.
Mrs. Bonner met Ralph with a happy
smile Of welcome, and their close prox-
unity On the sofa a few minutes eflor
denoted a perfect understanding be
tween them.
Can you be ready to start for the
South to morrow, Mabel?"
"lLabeU Don't you think you had
best address me as Mrs. Bonner, Mr..
Merton?'
mo; never knew Mrs. Bonner, but
l did k32OU and love little Mabel
Wright, and I shall stick to Mabel IN
til you give me the right 70 call you
Mrs. Merton, as it should have been
from the first"
"Pshaw! You are 81 crazy as ever,
Ralph; but you have been go = and
constant I suppose I must surrender
Internationally"
You might as WE'LL" said Ralph, as
he drew her close to his bosom and IN
printed a kiss upon lips that had lost
none Of their sweetness to him since
girlhood.
Shall We be married to night and
leave for home TO morrow 1t will be
much better, as 1 have been from home
too long already, and my business IN
tereets are suffering"
"Aa you will, Ralph, for l wish again
to behold the dear old hills OF thesweet
Sunny South"
Eight years have elapsed since the
incidents related in our last chapter,
and We again meet the principal per
sonages of cur narrative st Morehead
City, n. c., in the summer OF 1895.
| Mabel and Ralph appear to have sui
Ao.n4 -nnr l.ttia from Tima,s ravages.