The Irish standard., 1889-06-29

| and Isabel began to look forward to her
Southern trip with happy anticipations
Mr.. Falconer had written to Mrs. Stanford
explaining their reasons for the change in
their plans, and had received from her
hearty congratulations and commentator
. Of the proposed visit. Tne time was Low
! near at hand. and the preparations nearly
completed for the trip when Mr.. Faaconer
| came home with a deeply flushed face, and
with wild, restless look in his eyes, very
unusual with him; for some days past Isa-
bel had noticed that he did not seem in his
usual spirits. but had attributed the fact to
some slight indisposition.
care you sick, blr. Falconer,n she said,
in alarm, as he sat looking modify into the
fire; it was now November.
~ do not know" he replied, passing his
hand over his forehead YEARLY sl have
had headache for several days, and it
feels SO strange to-day; as if there were a
bumble-bce in it.''
''Let me battle it for you," she said, bring
ing bottle Of cologne
She stood by his side and bathed his head
in the refr3sh hing liquid until he fell into
restless slnmber, and she noted that his
breathing was hurried aud uneven.
III is q severe cold he has tal;en,'' she
whispered to herself ende:voring to suiet
her OVID uneaslness; his entrance into his
home YVES always so genial and kindly that
she was the more alarrne by this strange
moody arrival
He awoke with I; start ::Wnere am r."
he cried, wildly.
"Here, my husband ,.at honoe,'' she replied,
gently.
ooh! yes, at home; home is where love is.
Isabel he cried, more wildly than he had
yet spoken, "do you love me? have loved
you with all the strength Of my Strong man
hood, and waited patiently for your love"
In her terror and excitement IsabePs IN
herent truthfulness was still predominant,
and she answered him gently: "Iou wish
me to tell you the truth, do you not:'
Eyes, yes, the truth, he said, fretfuily
t"rhen will say that do not know" She
answered, still smoothing his hair and brow
with her white hand; ''rny feelings are SO
mingled with gratitude and respect that
actually can not tell whether love has en-
tered into my heart or not. honor and re.
spect you above all men, my husband
''Yes, always honor and respect'' he
muttered, jrritably, Ill tone so foreign to
any that he had ever used toward her that
her alarm Increased every moment; 're~
A'AAIi
as he spoke he settled hack into q doze.
Isabel flew to the hall, and calling Mrs.
Montford, begged hcr to send Tom for DR..
Conroya at once.
''My DEAR" she said, soothingly. placing
her hand on his arm as he again awole
with Il nervous START s'you had better go
to bed and rest, and you will feel better in
the morning"
He brushed her hand from his arm with
a gesture Of repulsion. "Don't call me dear;
I want no hypocrisy,' he said harshly.
s'But you are dear; the dearest friend
have in the world" aud the tears almost
choked hey' as she spoke.
s>Oh, a friend, ch!'' He spoke sneeringly,
with q bitter laugh, tho terrible laugh of q
! man who is not himself.
"Won't you go to bed?" she asked him.
pleadingly.
"To bedr' He looked at her with his heavy
eyes, from which the light OF reason was
fast departing. What should / go to bed
for: A business 1lan has no time Cor day
snoozing. Where's my hat?" and he strug
gled to get away from her OBTAINING grasp.
Happily, DR. Conroy was near at hand,
and with Mrs. Montford now appeared iii
the door, to Isabel's intense relief.
The doctors experience taught him now
to deal with the sick man. and he soon sue
ceeded in getting him into bed and under
the influence Of powerful remedies.
siWhat do YOU think Of hinl?' said isabel,
as she followed DR.. Conroy into the hall, her
eyes moist with tears, and heart sinking
with apprehension.
"He is {. very sick man, Mrs. Falconer,"
le replied, gravely; "it would be q useless
kindness to pretend any thing else He
;>,3 ~ how n
fierce struggle for life, and all we can do is
to hope and pray tor the best" anG pressing
her hand in his with unspoken sympathy,
he turned and left her, the hot tears stream
ing from her eyes and her heart lifted in
prayer as it never had been before for help
in this her hour OF urgent need.
CHAPTER <.
In the following weeks Isabe! had need OF
al, her i1rmuess and presence Of mind, for,
as DR. Conroy had said, there was a pro-
longed struggle for life iu the sick room;
the :irst week had been one Of delirious
raving, and her heart sank within her as
she repeatedly heard him muttering: "St1e
does not love me; she does not love me-"
in such sad tones that it pierced her very
heart,
She knew her own heart now fully; in
those terrible nights of watching, VIII : she
had sat beside him, brcathless with fear
and suspense, the thought had come to her
in all it's chilling force-of what life would
be to her without him, and she knew that
she loved him with deep devotion which
would last through eternity,
She told him so again and again, as she
knelt by his bedside, but he only looked at
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