The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-08-07

water or something"
Mono" she whispered Ill am
not i'll Dying-you sayi Dyingl All,
mono. il would bo too cruel. Oh,
surely you can get somo help" she went
on, wildly and passionately. Surely
you will not let him die without making
an effort, at least, to save himI Why
don't you7 he will die-he win diet
Oh, Il Is cruelr
She threw herself into q chair, and
covered her face with her hands.
CarTuthers grew very white.
"What do you meanT he said hoarsely.
''What is It to youths life or deathr
She made no answer; but he could see
that she was trembling violently.
"Do you mean" he said, speaking
very slowly, and with long pauses be-
tween the words, "that you-care for
him-that you-love himT
She looked up then, her eyes dry and
fearless, but full Of a maidenly indigna-
ton at the ruthless question.
"You have no right she began in
q breathless whisper.
ANSWER me-" he interrupted her
harshly.
Then all at once sho broke into bitter
weeping.
II don't know-I don't know" she
sobbed wildly. "But IL he dies-oh, II
he dies my heart will break"
The next moment she was gone, and
Carruthers was alone.
He stood quite still where she had left
him. The room seemed to grow sud
denly dark. He groped his way to a
chair and sat down. "If he dies my
heart will breakr' Tho sweet, childish
tones, vibrating with a new fierce note
Of woman's passion, rang in his ears
still He had half suspected for the last
day or two that Darrell cared for Leslie.
but never that she cared for him
never. He hid his face on his arm, feel.
ing curiously tired and sick. He sat
quite still for some time, and when he
raised his head his blue eyes were little
misty, and his lips were trembling.
Now, II any one had had leisure 10
think Of the weather this morning, they
would have noticed that tho wind had
changed during the night, and that il
was thawing rapidly. Carruthers' atten.
ton was drawn to this fact by q stray
sunbeam shining on the opposite wall,
and it strengthened his already half
formed resolution.
Poor little soulI" he muttered, as the
girls great despairing eyes seemed again
to look into his "Well-her heart shall
not break II can help It."
BE rose, crossed the hall, and entered
the sick mans room. Darrell was lying
quite still, seeming to breath with pain.
full difficulty. His eyes were closed, but
he opened them as Carruthers came to
the bedside. The latter bent over him,
and moistened his lips with brandy.
Darrell thanked him with q look. he
was past speaking now. Carruthers re-
pienished the fire, and went slowly out
Of the room; then he got on his boots,
wrapped himself in his overcoat, and
provided himself with stout walking
stick. As he passed tho door Of Leslie's
room he paused, fancying he heard a
sound Of stihed sobbing. But az
he moved away the door opened
and the girl came out Her eyes
were swollen and she was very pale, but
on seeing Carruthers she flushed up sud-
denly. He took her hands In his and
drew her gently into the sitting room.
II am going to Princetown to get q
DOCTOR" he said very quietly. at Is
thawing rapidly, so dare say l shall
manage very we'll Shall you be afraid
to DO left alone-until returnY'
Mono" she answered with q little
sob. "Oh, Mr.. Carruthers, forgive me
for my hasty words!-forget all l said
! did NOT
my dear" he said unsteadily, "Ihave
nothing to forgive"
"She hesitated a moment, then she
said, with earnest, troubled eyes raised
to his:
MAY I-may l take care Of him till
you come backH He-he might die there,
all alone. And" eagerly, "you need not
be afraid Of infection for me. | had
diphtheria once long ago And l was
with my cousin when she died, and ]
never took It" There was a pathetic
quivering of the tender little mouth that
was almost too much for Carruthers. He
passed his hand wearily over his fore.
head.
at Is an awful risk for you," he said
In q harassed kind Of voice, "But-l
must go-it is the only chance for tho
dear old fellow; and, as you say, he
ought not to be left alone. hope
shall only be away a few hour
at furthest; but II I should moi
get back before dark, will you light the
little lantern and put 1t in the loft win.
dow2 don't know that there Is much
you can do for Darrell, he went on with
o half break in his voice, except give
him spoonful Of brandy from time tc
time, II you can get him TO take II
There isn't much, but l will bring some
back with me. And-keep away from
him as much as you can; there Is no use
running any needless risk" He tried tc
look and speak as usual, but he did moi
succeed very well
Leslie looked at him anxiously.
you are not Ill, too. arc your she
said.
"Oh no." he answered In quiet voice
"Now, good-by for q few hours. No,
don't come to the door; It is too cold for
you"
As he spoke, he pulled his tweed caI
well over his forehead, and buttoned hil
coat up to his neck.
"0od bless you, my darling, " he mur
INJURED under his breath, as he turned
away. Then he passed out into the chill
air Of the winter morning. he had
rather the wind had been . little less
keen. for his head ached, and his throat
felt abominably sti6 and sore. But be
pulled himself together, and plunged
awav throiOh khaanovdrifta the firHf n