The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-12
CHAPTER Xxx.

Il believe I am thoroughly tired out,
Margaret. have had very hard day
work"
Margaret turned from her book as
Brian entered the room with these
words.
Have you?" she asked. How nice
YOU will find your well-earned rest.
See, your chair is waiting for you.
1T shall not be empty minute longer.
It is wonderfully comfortable. oi0
there. won't you? I like to see your
face: it rests me.
.Then | NAV consider myself useful,
as we'll as ornamental, she iaugheo'
wondering why the rebelllous color
should fly to her face in such a dlsa-
greeable way. ~,
when did you get my message, Mar
garrett" he asked.
About 4 o'clock, l think. l was
sorry YOU could not come home to din
ner. You have had some, Of course?"
Il had an apology for one," he re-
turned. Il hadn't time for any other;
so many important cases brought in to-
day This hospital practice is worth
great deal to me, I tell you. l was
getting rusty, and it has polished me up
considerably. I suppose Miss hilton
left, as she intended?"
-She went early this afternoon.
This answer was given with falter-
Ing voice.
Dear Margaret, he said with feel
ing, Il know how you will miss her. 1
wish you would let me comfort you.
Don't 60 away.
only for few minutes, she an
swered hastily. Il am coming back.
ch
quickly, with small tray in her hand.
aOniy some cake and Coffee" she
said, to make up for that apology for a
dinner. I made the coffee. DO you
think you will like it?"
will I? Its fragrance is sufficiently
tempting" Brian jumped from his
chair, and took the tray from Margaret's
hands. "I'm just beginning to realize
chat 1 am hungry. You will help me to
drink it?"
"Of course" laughed Margaret "I
want to show my appreciation OF Gull
nary ability. Norah thinks I will be
quite finished cook in time. This is
nice, and if we had some Elmwood
cream it would be all to be desired.
You like it? am glad. l want you to
tell me now the cause Of your serious
lace. IL Iooheu eNeA So 4oHo "HeA =
came in.
Il am the least bit anxious about you.
I fear YOU are losing the old strength
you used to boast Of. Don't shake your
head so decidedly, I see with an ex-
perienced eye. I saw how that ring
slipped about when you were pouring
this coffee, and seven months ago,
when I put it there, Margaret, it was
very tight and snug. I want to see 1t
30 again. You need the country breezes.
I know that Elmwood is the magical
medicine which your case demands, and
Il I prescribe it, I don't believe you
will find it so bitter to take"
And you?" she asked, after q mo-
ment's silence.
That is to be just as you say, Mar
garet."
aThen, she returned with radiant
face, we will both 60 home"
When Wilson learned Of this decision,
.The fascinations OF New York have been
exercised in vain," he declared. Il
think you will find something to regret
when you have gone from us. Still l
am sure YOU will realize a much needed
benefit, and in view of that I must be
glad that you will so soon enjoy the
pleasure of the country. l hope you
will not quite forget u.s."
Il will never forget you, was the i'm
pulsiye answer. The service you have
rendered Brian I cannot even realize,
much less thank you for. The lost
can do is to give you place among the
friends cherish most highly. Brian
and I will hope to see you quite often.
know you will like Elmwood. 1t is SO
beautiful. 1 never knew how much l
believe I haven't dared to think. The
other day 1 took a long ride on the
Madison avenue cars, just for something 6
to do, and when we got out in the nine
ties there was a real little bit of country
before us. l could not stay in the car.
The sun really seemed so much brighter;
and when l heard the hens and saw the
ducks and geese walking along the mar
row pavements l wanted 10 sit down
and cry"
Wilson smiled.
Did you think better of the impulse?"
be questioned.
"Oh, yes. Fortunately, came upon
woman sitting on the grass with the
whitest, fattest baby / almost ever saw.
I adore babies, and began to admire
that one eXtravagantly. The mother
was delighted, and by way of recon-
pense, l presume, gave me a detailed
history of the seven fatter and whittier
ones which had precC ded this one. By
the time she finished l had forgotten
that l ever wanted to cry"
so the baby proved an effective anti
dote. You were very fortunate in your
meeting. Now. believe l must hurry
away. I could only stea! a moment jusl
to run in to say good-by.
Il don't believe you have stayed tina;
moment" complained Margaret, and
am sure if you were very anxious you
could stretch it Just the least Bit. Brian
will be 50 sorry not TO nave seen you.
Are you SO very busy. Doctor"
We'll, rather, was the half hesitat-
ing reply. Summer is near at hand
and that is time OF wretchedness FOL
the unfortunate poor. wish we had a
larger corps Of free doctors. We GER
tainiy need them in those crowded, mis-
erab!e districts, where the white Grape
and tiny hearses tell their own story OF
suffering and death. have brought a
shadow to your face; l VII say nc
more.
"lou are merely giving me glimpse
of the other side of lie, she said
thouyht!ully Il find the contrast, as
usual, sad and strong. l wish the wor!t
was different. I wish we lived under
Bellamy's order Of things"
Wilson smiled. Il fear such order is
too Utopian ever to be realized" he an