The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1891-01-16
ne condition critical. AZ for the mem-

Dere OF her own h~OuSen0ld, n had been
their physician eyer since her husbands
death, and George hSdto give her credit
for her treatment Of them.
81 hope you are right" he said. 81
believe you are right; but I have too
much at stake to be as cslm as I should
ii it were anyone else than Mary. Give
her your care, and more than my life
long gratitude will be 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 nor for this"
Her familiar, affectionate touch upon
his arm was a caress. and DR.. 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 yet. He
knew there would be some oreness and
disappointment ningherdaughter
Victoria, though there had never been
anything more than the kindly and
trustful feeling which would naturally
exist between abrother's sister andthat
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 All ex-
tensive practice at his age but for some
strong private influence, but to marry
Victoria in return would have been a
heavy price to pay for it. She was
beautiful enough, and more, but her
unsympatketic 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 a
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 MI. 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 thanever
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 ono room to another, and
this state of things did not mend.
The worst feature in it vas an apa-
thetic, neutrality-suspicious. which brought
George Hyde almost to the point of de-
| cnoir I Nrr flor tho FoS,a~ 1pyno rpno
she remained in the same condition.
She thanked Mrs. Allenby very sweetly
for her kindness, and seemed to grow
fond of her; but she 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, ~
am glad mammals boy will have such
good friends when mamma is gone"
my darling child" said Mrs. Allen
by, have you no wish to live3 You
must not speak like that"
81 should like to live, lift is to be So
was the low reply; "bnt if l 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 clingto the
memory of the Dead" Mrs. Allenhy
said, in a low and sympathetic whisper,
tive 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. sit
might be if I lived; but l do not think
/ SHALL"
but you love him?" Mrs. Allenby
said, in the same whisper. "Let him
hear you say 500
Not as l loved Arthur" Mary re-
sponded; "but l 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.
CHAPTER v