Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-04-24

You had strong nerves ohSe' "
YOU as good now? Can you bear the
sight of blood-of a wound?'
If | can be OF use"
"You are the same Alice" he said,
sighing, and then led the way te a bed
chamber, where, still dressed and evil
IDENTIFY suffering greatly, Margaret
Greyson was extended upon a bed FROM
some n%eighboring room came the sound
of a screaming voice, uttering appalling
oaths. using language that sent sick
shudders through Alice Spencer'sframe.
Not until then did DR.. Greysen speak.
"Alfce," he said, hoarsely, Il have
tried TO keep my painful secretf from all,
but 1t must o o be known. You hear
Maude's voice, you see my dear sister
living dangerously wounded by Maude's
hands, She has been insane for four
wears. and Margaret has tried to help
me in guarding her from harm, and yet
keeping her sad state a secret. 1ester'
dav she broke into acute mania. ! sent
my little girls away hurriedly and Har.
nv is with his nurse in another part OF
the house. We thought the worst OF the
attack was over, when she suddenly ran
downstairs to the kitchen, ard, Selling
a knife, stabbed my sister. The servants
are all occupied-one with Harry and
two with my wife. Somewhere l had to
look for help, and | went to yon."
"Thank you for that" she answered,
gently. "TelI me now what must do
Deity she helped him to care for Mar.
garet, whose wound had been dressed,
but who sorcly needed a woman's nurs-
ing. When he had done all required of
physician, she said:
"Now leave me and send one of the
women here" and she heard him in the
next room vainly trying to quiet the
raving woman, whose shrieks were I'M
like my human sound Alice had ever
heard.
TWAS a long, painful task to make the
unconscious, moaning woman comfort
! able in her bed, but the maid was strong
and willing, and Alice tender and accus-
toned to sickness. AS they worked, the
other side of the story the world judged
so harshly came out.
t "You see, miss, | was the only one OF
' the servants that knew Mrs. Greyson
Il was queer like. She was about the
house, but the doctor, he watched her
" constant, night and day, and a bitter
time he had, miss, for she took that
Ie hatred to him that | think she would
~ have killed him if she could. 1t was only
II when she was asleep and a-watching
l of her that he dared to rest. And there
{ was the children, and Harry not five
. years old, miss, and he looking after
them like q or there's no know
- ing what she might "a done to them
IL It's been better since Miss Margare
t. came, and if there ever was an angel OF
the earth she's one, miss-that patien
&, with the poor, daft lady, and that goot
to the children as you never see. 1t wa
u, easy to hide it from the servants some
eu times, but if they had not been dunn
some other times it seems to me the,
~ must "a knowed the poor lady WASH
III right in her mind. | hope she'll no
&C. have TO go to a 'sylum, miss"
TN 81 hope not" Alice said.
"Only the masters about worn out
II he didn't know about giving her doc
tors stuff when she's worst, we'd I
'el had to have help long ago."
ny Harry" Margaret called feebly, an
Alice was instantly beside her.
iu' 81 AM Alice she said, gently, know
:" ing her name must be familiar to lIal
" rvs sister. Your brother asked me t
ua nurse You. What can ] do now to hel
u. Nv you?"
y, "Alice!" Margaret said, "oh, IN
NJ dear, how i have longed to see you
a And to meet in this way!"
"No, you must not cry" Alice salt
vs. kissing her tenderly; "you are badl
e e. hurt and must keep very quiet, but yo
'n are willing to trust me to nurse you, al
you not?"
"a, "Yes, dear; yes, l am glad to ha,
you here. You know"
'Yes, | know. Heaven help him
=" said Alice, choking back a sob; "it
Lir very bitter!"
NE While Margaret was still too i'll
s"" leave her room, Maude Greyson die
~. raving day and night through weeks
-. madness. All Arlington by that tin
.t knew the sad story, for servants wi
gossip, when ladies stoop to questio
and Highlands was the theme Of ever
w. tongue.
As soon as his sister was able to
~ moved, DR.. Greyson took her to the Sc
shore, with his boy and nurse, leavir
'iD the little girls still at school, where thu
W. were happier than they had ever BET
~ under their mothers capricious contrt
1t was not far from Abingdon, and Ali
~. visited them frequently, carrying Il
TOYS and dainties dear to children
-. hearts.
~ From their seaside trip DR.. Greyst
.as and his sister returned to Highbanh
Nv and Margaret took the little girls hon
.ah and kept the house, while the doct
, went abroad. He dared not trust hil
: " self near Alice, for all the old love w
w. springing up again In a heart he HI
aI thought dead to emotion. His bitt
experience had not hardened him, n
the fact that Maude's property W
willed to her children, though under
guardianship.
'.I. For three years Margaret and Ali
were like dear sisters, sharing the 10
of the children, and Alice learning mu
of the martyrdom of the life of DR.. Gre
'es' son and Margaret during the four Ia
% a years of Maude's life.
W He came home at last and resumed |
professional duties, having spent mt
any OF his time abroad in the great hospi.i
in Europe. 1t was long before he spo
,asy To Alice, but she understood, and VIII
! he asked her to be his wife, she kn'
that the love she had crushed down
wears had come back, true and strol
,ice IN her heart.
ner OF course the world, as represent
nao by the Arlington sewing circle. h
plenty of hard judgment ready
'tor both, but they never heard 1t. nor woi
on they have needed II If they had.-N.
my Ledger.
ice, AT Sebago. Me-, is q collection Of