Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-18
ailornimo alrmo srriaIo.
AMONG THE PHIuSTINES. "
By MRS. NORA LIPMAN HUss Ely
CHAPTER NJ.

The hours OF the night which, according
10 DIT Hayward. was 10 determine Rob-
ert's fate, slipped by with painful slow
ness. The intense stiffness was broken
only ~ the sick mans ineessant moan
ing. and by the clicking together of spoon
and mcdicine-bOttles as we administered
10 his needs.
As midnight approached DR.. Hayward
took ms seat by the side OF the bed. and
laid his hand lightly on Roberts pulse.
A -ulucating sense of dread and fear
oyercane me. / walked to the open win
dow, and "A prayer arose in my heart to
Him who not only rules the rolling world,
but keeps His ear attuned to the cry of
His tiniest creature.
short while after midnight the moan
ing gradually grew fainter, and finally
ceased altogether as the patient fell into
his first calm sleep.
''rhe danger is over" l whispered.
bending over Dr. Hayward TO catch a
glimpse OF Roberts cOuntenance.
THAT depends upon the waking" he
said, but the brightness of his face told
me how great was his hope. "ThrOw open
those blinds. viii youy II he awakes when
/ think he viii I'd like him to see first a
bright morning sky"
] made no answer; but mentally blessed
the doctor for that tenderness of soul
OF which his words gave evidence.
few moments afterwards he gave me
his chair, going himself into the little room
across the hall to seek the rest he spmuch
needed.
McRhea sat opposite me, watching with
breathless anxiety the changes which
were gradually stealing over the face of
the sleeper. And | watched McRhea.
There was no longer any sternness in
his cOuntenance. The old bitterness had
disappeared, and i'm its stead there had
come the tenderness which occasionally |
mad seen flash into his eyes.
When the eastern sky was fairly aglow
with the dawn, Robert opened his ewes
slowly, and, looking up, ne knew me.
1T is dawn, Max"
Bob
"ThereH be no sunrise for me, nv
boy. -
His voice was the faintest whisper. l
had to bend my head very close to hear
his words at all. And the tears blinded
me when / beheld the helplessness in his
eyes.
'-Where Is Lois, Mako
do you want her now, my bOy?V
mot till she wakes. Poor chiIdw
Then he closed his eyes again, and did
not reopen them until the morning clouds
had famed into brilliant beauty.
Lois came in softly, and took my seat at
ais NENNAtAts anu W utn lie AGAIN Onpnn0
his eyes they fell upon his wife. more
beautiful 10 him than all the morning
glory.
Il did not intend this, dear" he whis-
pered, closing his fingers over the hand
she laid i'm his. 81 thought to rid YOU en-
urely of worthless husband.7
'1o on are not TO abuse my husband,7
she said, smiling brightly upOn him, Il
cannot let you do that" Then she slim
ned a hpr EnanG ~ his sf1o o7tT ,o,+s,,-,
Ell IN voice OF lndescribable sweetness:
God has answered my prayers, darling.
Night and day l have begged him to spare
you AZ least long enough to hear me saw
how entirely l love yOu''
The brightness of joy flashed into his
eyes, shen vanished in cloud Of doubts. /
Its poor wreck, Lois.o
"A dear wreck, Robert; dearer now
than when it was gallant bark rejoicing
in safe seas
McRhea stole out Of the room softly:
but she was too absorbed to heed either
his presence or his departure.
She had never been a demonstratiye |
wife. This had often grieved me: for
Roberts patient, uneXacting love had been
touching 10 see.
An expression of unsTeakable content !
crept over his face as her hand rested |
gently upon his hair; and, with his hand /
sun clasplng hers, he dropped once more /
into peaceful sIumber.
Seeing this, and feeling sure that Lois /
good judgment might be relied on to keen T,
him from all exciting talk, l too crept I
noiselessly out of the room and Joined |
hckhea, who was walking up and down /
among the violet beds.
The Highland summer is altogether /
over. thank GOd!" l said, laying nv hand +
on his shoulder.
A fierce light flashed into his eyes.
WHO told YOU of that;'
sLOis.'
At the sound of her name the better .
OOk came into his face. After few mo- I
ments he spoke in a voice which I had /
never heard befOre-a firm voice. infinite .
e patient man by nature:
YES: that summer Is gone, and l sup /
pose 1 ought TO feel glad also. guess it /
is consistent with man-nature that l do
not. But / shall come to that in time. l /
came very near wrecking Lois happiness.
For her sake 1 am very glad she has had /
strength Of will enough to fight me down.
There can be no happiness for a wife be-
yOnd her husbands heart. And vet | am 4
devilish enough to be sorry that Bob has
conquered. I think, just now, that 1 /
would give my hope Of eternity for one /
look such as / saw in her eyes a moment /
ago Its all wrong OF course
He ceased suddenly, and l found myself /
NJ a loss for words.
You viii get over all this in time, Nc \
Rhe8. I finally said.
~Oh. YES: l guess / SHALL he replied, 4
with returning bitterness. eve of this 4
generation have left our belief in eternal .
love 70 keep company with our belief in /
eternal damuatiOu. All, Lesley!' as his Z
cousin came towards us. "The imper- (
sonation of the morning, my dear. How I
DO YOU manage always to be so fair and /
sWcett'
Il must not betray the fairies,'' she an
swered. laughing softly. ''This is the I
first time I've seen You, Mr.. Maxwell; but /
1 am sure you viii pardon and accept I
my tardy welcome
INV tea last night confessed for YOU /
that ] was not forgotten 1 answered. /
taking the hand she held out to me. Il I
believe YOU have unselishly become the I
Martha Of the household"
eIsu't she the Young lady who is record /
cd as having had to foregO the pleasure OF /
sitting at her dear Lords feet!' McRhea I
Ssked
Robert is really better" she said to I
me. ignoring McRhea. "Oh, am so glad! /
Has Or. Hayward seen him this morn |
ings"
Il think not. That is, he was still /
sleeping when ! passed the dining-rOom /
door"
He has been out of the dining-roo /
some time-which reminds me that Ruth !
sent me out TO invite you and Olin in to /
breakfast"
'Wiu YOU take a seat with me?" the old /
doctor said Tome, as he and stood at the |
gate after breakfast.
Thank you; yes. I'd like to ask a
few questions about Bob"
'.Umph,' in tone not very encourage
ing.
"What do you think of the case?' 1
continued. as we turned into the main
road.
4 think Bob Will get WELL"
Yes; ] know that. But you have told
me nothing about the wound" !
'Wen; l can't tell you very much, for
/ know almost nothing. He intended to
shoot himself in the head; but he did not
succeed. His aim was unsteady, and the
wound was made along the spine"
"What will be its probable etfects:'
Bob Will never walk another step"
'.Great heavens, DOCTOR You can't mean
it,
You asked me for facts. 1 have given
them TO you. You must nOt'quarrel with
me-
Entered according to act of Congress IN the
year 1854 by J. III. Estil, in the Office of the
Librarian OF Congress at W ashingt0n.