Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
& grave voice. .
~ face, “I’m not asleep,” he moaned; ‘‘Tamaw
WILD MARGARET,
Blair closed his eyes, and presently the doctor looked up
and nodded.
‘‘ He is asleep, and is saved, please Heaven!” he said in
_ All that Austin Ambrose had accomplished was as noth-
ing to the task that loomed before him. - 2.2 ¥
The time must come when Blair would ask for Margaret,
and insist upon seeing her.
Many men would have shrunk from such an ordeal, but
Austin Ambrose was not the man to allow sentiment, as
he would have called it, to interpose between him and a
long cherished design; so that when, on awakening from
the deep sleep which saved his life, Blair asked: ‘‘ Where
Is Margaret?” Austin Ambrose was prepared.
“Blair,” he said, laying his hand upon the sick man’s,
‘are you strong enough to hear what Ihave to tell.you?_ I
trust so, for I cannot keep it from you.” ©
‘* Keep it from me! What is it?’ demanded Blair, trying |
to raise himself, ‘Is it anything to do with Madge? No,
it can’t be, of course. But why doesn’t she come? Ah, I
see—give me a-minute, Austin,’ and he turned his head
away. ‘My accident has frightened her, and she is ill.’
“Yes, sho is ill! said Austin Ambrose, watching him
closely. ‘* Blair, for Heaven’s sake, be brave, be calm.”
‘What is it? You haven’t told me all,” he exclaimed.
“Don’t turn your face away; tell me.. Anything is better
an suspense. Let me go fo her—bring her to me.~ She
can’t be so ill——” he paused, breathlessly.
Austin Ambiose laid his hand upon his shoulder.
‘Blair, dear, dear Blair,”’ he murmured; ‘*she cannot
come to you; you cannot go to her. She has been very il
—Blair, your wife is dead!”
The sick man looked at him-and laughed.
“That’s a pretty kind of joke to play upon aman lying ©
on his back,” he said. ‘‘Go and_fetch her, and we'll
ugh ‘at it together—perhaps she'll see the fun in 1: IT
on’b!? oe
Then, as Austin Ambrose remained silent, Blair looked
from him to the doctor, who had entered—an awful lool
of anguished, fearful scrutiny. he
«./m—I’'m dreaming; that’s what it is,” he muttered.
*Madge—don’t leave me. Take hold of my hand.
reamt somebody had told me you were dead. Don’t cry,
ear. It’s I who was nearly dead, not you; and Pm all
right now. Did you find the painting things? They’re all
right, are they? I told Austin—I told——’ he stopped
“Short suddenly, and uttered a cry, a heartrending cry,
and raised himself so that he could see Austin Ambrose’s
ake, And