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CHAPTER III Milly*'s Return THE VISIT OF CLAYTON and his sister, like all other pleasant things, had its end. Clayton was called back to his law-office and books, and Anne went to make some summer visits previous to her going to Clayton's plantation of Magnolia Grove, where she was to superintend his various schemes for the improvement of his negroes. Although it was gravely insisted to the last that there was no engagement between Nina and Clayton, it became evident enough to all parties that only the name was wanting. The warmest possible friendship existed between Nina and Anne; and, notwithstanding that Nina almost every day said something which crossed Anne's nicely-adjusted views, and notwithstanding Anne had a gentle infusion of that disposition to sermonize which often exists in very excellent young ladies, still the two got on excellently well together. It is to be confessed that, the week after they left, Nina was rather restless and lonesome, and troubled to pass her time. An incident , which we shall relate, however, gave her something to think of, and opens a new page in our story. While sitting on the veranda, after breakfast, her attention was called by various exclamations from the negro department, on the right side of the mansion; and, looking out, to her great surprise, she saw Milly standing amid a group, who were surrounding her with eager demonstrations. Immediately she ran down the steps to inquire what it might mean. Approaching nearer, she was somewhat startled to see that her old friend had her head bound up and her arm in a sling; and, as she came towards her, she observed that she seemed to walk with difficulty, with a gait quite different from her usual firm, hilarious tread. "Why, Milly!" she said, running towards her with eagerness, "what is the matter?" "Not much, chile, I reckon, now I's got home!" said Milly. "Well, but what's the matter with your arm?" 293 294 DRED "No great! Dat ar man shot me; but, praise de Lord, he didn't kill me! I don't owe him no grudge;but I thought it wan't right and fit that I should be treated so; and so I just put!" "Why, come in the house this minute!" said Nina, laying hold of her friend, and drawing her towards the steps. "It's a shame! Come in, Milly, come in! That man! I knew he wasn't to be trusted. So, this is the good place he found for you, is it?" "Jes so," said Tomtit, who, at the head of a dark stream of young juveniles, came after, with a towel hanging over one arm, and a knife half cleaned in his hand, while Rose and Old Hundred, and several others, followed to the veranda. "Laws-a-me!" said Aunt Rose, "just to think on 't! Dat's what't is for old fam'lies to hire der niggers out to common people!" "Well," said Old Hundred, "Milly was allers too high feelin'; held her head up too much. An't no ways surprised at it!" "O, go 'long, you old hominy-beetle!" said Aunt Rose "Don't know nobody dat holds up der head higher nor you does!" Nina, after having dismissed the special train of the juveniles and servants, began to examine into the condition of her friend. The arm had evidently been grazed by a bullet, producing somewhat of a deep flesh-wound, which had been aggravated by the heat of the weather and the fatigue which she had undergone. On removing the bandage around her head, a number of deep and severe flesh-cuts were perceived. "What's all this?" said Nina. "It's whar he hit me over de head! He was in drink, chile; he didn't well know what he was 'bout!" "What an abominable shame!" said Nina. "Look here," turning round to Aunt Nesbit, "see what conies of hiring Milly out!" "I am sure I don't know what's to be done!" said Aunt Nesbit, pitifully. "Done! why, of course, these are to be bandaged and put up, in the first place," said Nina, bustling about with great promptness, tearing off bandages, and ringing for warm water. "Aunt Milly, I'll do them up for you myself. I'm a pretty good nurse, when I set about it." "Bless you, chile, but it seems good to get home 'mong friends!" "Yes; and you won...

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