Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-01-17

the condition critical. As for the mem
bers of her own household, she had been
their physician eve since her husbands
death, and George hadto give her credit
for her treatment of them.
II hope you are right" he said. II
believe you are right; but / have too
much at stake TO be Is calm as | should
If it were anyone else than Mary. Give
her your care, and more than my life
long gratitude will lie yours"
TOO much at stake" Mrs. Allenby
repeated slowly. "Ah, yes, ! see; but
you have surprised me, George. And
you need not fear, she shall have all my
care-the mor for this"
Her familiar, affectionate touch upon
his arm vas a caress, and DIR. Hyde felt
more certain of her help now she knew
that whathe had at stake. He had not in
tended TO let her into his secret vet. He
knew there would be some soreness and
disappointmentconc erning herdaughter
Victoria, though there had never been
anything more than the kindly and
trustful feeling which would naturally
exist between abrother's sister and that
brothers. friend.
He could not, however, disguise from
himself that a declaration was expected
of him. Mrs. Allenby had gone out Of
her way to advance his interest, and it
was entirely due to her that he was
sent for by so many Of her husbands
patients. George was quite aware that
he would not have acquired such an ex-
tensive practice at his age but for some
strong private influence, but to marry
Victoria in return would have been q
heavy price to pay for it. She was
beautiful enough, and more, but her
unsympathetic nature would have been
a cloud over his heart and energy.
Had Mary been anyone else, George
would have been satisfied with himself
as her physician. AS it was, he con
suited a friend-a very eminent man.
The eminent man simply approved Of
the young doctors treatment-said they
were doing all that could be done; she
could not be in better hands, and was
exceptionally fortunate in such a nurse.
Even Mr.. Barker was satisfied then.
Mrs. Allenby was right in her predic-
ton. Mary passed the crisis Of the
fever safely, but it left her very low.
She seemed to need more care than ever
now; she was in a state of utter pros
tration at the time when in the ordi-
nary course she should have been able
to be moved from her bed to a couch,
or even from one room to another, and
this state of things did not mend.
The worst feature in ii was an apa-
thetic, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. which brought
George Hyde almost to the point of de-
spair. Long after the fever was gone
she remained in the same condition.
She thanked Mrs. Allenby very sweetly
for her kindness, and seemed to grow
fond of her; butshe could not rally, and
did not seem to try. When they took
the baby to her, and let him nestle
down on the pillow by her side, she only
looked at him wistfully, and said, II
am glad mammals boy will have such
good friends when m is gone"
my darling child" said Mrs. Allen
by, have you nc wish to liver You
must not speak like that"
II should like to live, if it is to be So"
was the low reply; ''but if / die / shall
see Arthur the sooner"
A deep sigh made her turn, and she
saw George Hyde sitting by the bed
with his hand before his face.
However closely we may clingt to the
memory of the dead" Mrs. Allenby
said, in a low and sympathetic whisper,
1--WE should not forget the living. If you
knew how deeply and faithfully George
loved you, you would try and live for
him."
Poor George!' Mary said, softly. ut
might be if / lived; but / do not think
/ SHALL"
but you love him?" Mrs. Allenby
said, in the same whisper. LET him
hear you say So"
Not as l loved Arthur" Mary re-
sponded; "but / love him dearly"
Mary would not have said this at any
other time, but no falsehood can be
told, or truth concealed, when the world
is gliding away and death has been near
enough to give the soul a glimpse of
Heaven. 1t comforted George to know
that she loved him, and might be his If
she lived. He could only, in the fullness
OF his heart, pray that she would live.