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170 © WILD MARGARET,
and if Blair should only recover, all might yet go well with
his plans. ‘ - _
On-the eighth day, toward evening, the doctor, who had
been bending over the bed with his fingers on Blair's pulse,
looked up suddenly, and motioned to the nurse and Austin
* Ambrose. ~
“Shut out the light,’’ he said, in a low voice. _
- They drew the window curtains, and Austin Ambrose
stepped up on tiptoe..
‘‘Is—is he coming to?” he asked breathlessly.
The doctor nodded. .
‘‘T think so. Tet no one speak to him but me.”
They waited, and presently Blair opened his eyes and
looked round with a dazed inquiry. . oo
‘Margaret!’ he said,
The doctor held up his-hand warningly to the others. |
‘Madge! Where are you ?’ he said again, almos6 1n-
audibly. .
“Your wife cannot come to you at present,” replied the
doctor quietly. ‘Do not speak just yet.”’ . w
“Where am I? HaveI been ill?” inquired Blair, Kknit-
ting his brows, as if trying to remember. ‘Ah, yes; the
horse! Is the horse all right?” a
“The horse is all right,” said the doctor. ‘I will tell
you all about it after you have had a good sleep. You
have been very ill, and will be worse if you do not sleep.
“Allright,” he said, with asigh. ‘ Madge. my wife, 1s
asleep, I suppose? Have I been ill long? Don’t wake her
or distress her; T shall be all right! ‘Stop!’ he exclaimed ;
‘‘the paints and things, they are in my pockets, and the
- easel will be sent on to-day. Give them to her! I hope
‘they haven’t come to harm!” / .
‘They are all safe,’’ said the doctor soothingly.
“Tm glad,” said Blair, with another sigh; ‘‘and the
. horse is all right? Well, it’s not so bad! I thought he
had settled me, confound him!” .
The doctor thought he referred to the colt, but Austin
Ambrose’s cheeks paled.
He stepped forward noiselessly.
‘Tam here, Blair,” he murmured softly. ‘‘Take the
doctor’s advice, and don’t talk yet.”’ .
‘You, Austin, old fellow!” exclaimed Blair, trying to
hold out his hand. ‘Why, how did you hear of it? To °
come the same night. That’s kind. But how did you get
here? and Madge—have you seen Madge? Don't let her be
frightened, Austin, I shall be up in an hour or two. Te
her—no, don’t tell her anything; leave it to me.”’
“Very well,” said Austin; ‘‘and now get some sleep, old
fellow, I sha’n’t say another word,” Oe