The conservator., 1886-12-18

ior nlm that they could meet in true fel
leWship as artists and friends.
Since Franks g sudden, dangerous illness
however, new possibility had occurred t
his friend, and, as he watched him, as
sumed an air OF probability that trouble,
him deeply. He had wondered often tha
MS friend would seek 10 companions
resoiutely refused all attempts to introduce
nlm 10 society. and led the life of a recluse
their own friendship being the result of ,
c1ance meeting and Toms own persisten
a aufances. Seen IN the light of Frank.
uleclosures, 1t was very easy to understand
.hls, and the promise be had exacted tha
ION would never mention his name to his
friends. "-A'o ~ LIE
Dut as he unused, looking often to see il
ms parents rest was undisturbed, Tom
u"ynne recalled another face that bad fo5
nearly year been to him hone. an in.
splratlon. He had met Miss Lorimer in
society, and knew her as an heiress. the
niece of Mrs. Hughes, one of the leaders
or fashionable circles. She was tall,
Iair woman, of twenty-five or six, who bore
the Impress Of sorrow upon her face as
cot bed.
Gentle and gracious, brilliant in con-
versatlon, Miss Lorimer seemed TO have
left glrlhood as far behind her as woman
OF o0. Quietly diguifed, always dressed
IN the black, gray, and white of light
mourning, she was to Tom the living ideal
OF pure, stately womanhood; something to
worship reverently, and yet to love with
tenderness born of strong devotion.
lie loved her hopelessly. Never had one
| look from her large blue ewes given him
token that she even guessed his love. and
yet he had taken her into his heart and
enshrined her there for the worship of his
| life.
And set strangely apart from his every
day world, his love mad been carefully
1t had ever escaped his lips.
And now the delirious raving of his
friend rang again in his ears.
Laura! Laura Lorimer, my own love!
One word! one look of farewell! Nv
darling! My Laura"
Over and over the name came to the
fevered lips that had SO long starved for
its utterance, and Tom listened and Won
dered, gathering strand after strand of the
sad story together, until he held the whole
tangled skein in his brain.
A voice, carefully lowered, reused him TO
the consciousness of the doctors entrance.
"Sleeping! That is we'll! Has he been
awake?' 'N
AOo' anu 4ulIJ COuSClOuS.
VERY weak" touching the sick mans
pulse with light, practiced fingers, and
listening to the faint breathing; has he no
relatives?"
Il know of none"
he will need great care now. 1t is q
pity he has no wife or mother. Women are
best IN slck-room, and you must be worn
out" 0''
Not quite that; but may have nurse
70 help me, if be is wiling"
"lt would be best"
And the doctor tip-toed out of the room.
eaving Tom TO his troubled meditation
1e rose at last, gave himself shake. and
hen, opening desk, said, half aloud,
She could never care for mel" siphino
heavily as the words passed his lips.
Il pref note was written, directed. and
'laced upon the table, and then, lowering
lie light, Tom stretched himself mon q
OUNCE close beside the cot bed, and sleen
eigned Ill the studio until a late hour the
N naw w%oarning. nurse and patient drawing
laws tbev had after the long, exhausting
yakened first, iustd,, 1t was Tom who
tidied up" and Sdid for eeHf, oeHf woman who
lily entered the room and uDGhn gener-
watch the patient while Tom fent ffto to to to
,wn rooms for bath and breakfalt If wos
ot long Eefore he returned, Rovino dc
'atched his brief note, refreslEd himself
az rrernred his heart and btin for tbe
riais OF the day hy prayer tbot u.s ~.
ilnP1e petition rs ever passed the Inns Of
eaiif sfiii tie ft It's Sa!,ent me;herf sfohq h4ee
nderly lifted, and nourishment placed nt
is lips. but he drank mechanically. mnr-
nred very drowsy thanks, and slept on. r
DON came, hot, breathless noon, such as
onGon often feels in early summer. and
ON sal tanning his patient, listening ever !
'r some coming footsteps in the hail. The ;
octor PAID his visit, shook his head doubt 7
lily, and went away, and no one came
'ove the third floor until the clock chimed !
llt-past twelve, when a soft rustic swept \
ross The hall, and there, at the opened =
'or, stood tall figure in dress of Thin
'ay, with bonnet of black lace upon The -
aaith of golden hair, worn in waving .
nds. a
1om rose at oLce, no token of his l.
st throbbing heart visible in his quiet g.
Getting. "
How can ever thank yon?" a
80 she greeted him, with outstretched ir
nds, and light in her eyes he had never is
fore seen there. -
: You know all?"
: All that Frank can tell me-"
lie could not tell you how / came back e,,
seek him after my uncle died, l could 81
come before, for my uncle was old and
K, and obeyed him as l would NV
her. l thought Frank would under E.
nd and trust me-" -
But he would never ask you to share n W.
bllgEted and shadowed as his. so 7 on
ed to write to YOU" wi
God bless you for the thought" SIZE af
Wered. You are a true friend" re-
'o1tly she crossed the room and stood bv ne
cot bed, looking with grave, earnest M
INTO the pale face; but Tom saw that 90
old shadow was gone from her face. nj
there was no sorrow in the tender VII
yes OF her beautiful lips. The patient
ned his eyes suddenly. There was no
t, no exclamation, only rapturons
OF recognition, and then Tom stole
closing the door after him, and took
ge IN his own den.
ct 1t was Tom who, few weeks Inter
} the bride away at bis friend r1rfG}z :
ding; Tom who was here, tberc.
yWhere. the bridegroom's right hand @
be steamer for Madeira slowly left the y
n, Toms face and Toms waving hat
the last objects upon which the ewes .
% young couple rested as they started
their wedding tour.
was pity be could not hear them. ne
rnea sadly away, saying to each other
ne friend!"