The morning call., 1893-10-22

her tickle and weak and many another
hard name, and had worn TO himself that
she had only herself to blame, that he
would have been a true friend to her II she
had not wiied it otherwise, he did not
like to think of her alone in her trouble to
fancy those blue eyes dim with weeping
ana watching BY the sick men. that sweet
face growing pale and haggard with anx-
ietv and sleepless yigils.
"Well, aren't you going down to offer
your services to MISS fert, jim? Sheii
be ready enough to welcome you now in
spite of the cold shoulder she's turned TO
you lately" Belle said.
Jim looked at her blandly and smiled.
II dare say she w0uld," he said slowly.
''I guess I'll give her the chance, any
how"
"You will?"
Bellies cheeks famed, and her eyes
flashed with angry surprise.
well, thought you had more spirit,
Jim," she said. with an angry jingle Of the
glasses on the counter. I'D have more
pride if | were you! I'd show her she
couldn't droD me and whistle me back at
her pleasure!"
81 don't doubt it, my love. In that re-
spect as in many others your sex is vastly
superior to ours" Jim answered in his az
gravatingly cool voice; and then he took
up his hat, and putting it on turned to the
door. "By the way, Belle, have you any
drinkable 'fizz' left? l don't mean the
fiery decoction you sell to the boys, but
any of that case brought back With me
the last time l went TO MariZburg.
II believe there are two or three bottles.
Hand couple over. then"
Jim tucked the champagne under MS
arm, and with careless nod and su-
preme disregard OF Miss Bellies angry
looks, which eXasperated her afresh. went
out of the bar and walked quickly down
q hn ha (liff0ns'
shanty. The door stood open, and ne
paused, and unseen by the pale watcher
who sat by her fathers bed sponglng his
burning hands aud brow with cool water
and listening to his incoherent mutterlngs,
looked on for a moment IN silence, tDen
gently tapped at the door.
Lois started and turned suddenly round; {;
then as she recognized The newcomer, e.
hot. crimson blush famed into her pale
cheek. and into the blue eyes curious
light of hope and relief and confusion
leapt up as she looked eagerly at him..
"Mr. Goddart! Oh. is really you p she
said; and at the surprise and delight IN her
voice all the bitterness and hardness died
suddenly out of Jim's heart. He put the
champagne carefully on the table, and took
the timidly offered hand.
"Yes. only heard half an hour ago that
you were in trouble" he said kindly. 81
came to see If | could be Of any use. or do
anything for you"
Use! Oh, think you have come just
in time to save me from despair" Lois
cried in her sweet, impetuous voice. and
she looked UP at him with tears of reliet
ond gratitude in her eyes. mot five min
utes ago was hopeless. l told myself |
hadn't friend in the eamp-Dot soul to
help me-aDd that they'-and she pointed
first to her father, and then to the opposite
corner of the shanty, where her lover
lay in a stupor which was more
like Inconsistencies than sleep-'would
die. because l could not get doctor
or medicine for them. | thought that no
one cared what became of US. and yet at
that very moment you were thinking OF
me--coming to help mel You of all peo-
pleI Oh, don't deserve it," and then she
took his Drown hand in both her own and
looked up at him with such sweet graft
tude and delight in her eyes that only by
a great effort jim restrained himself and
succeeded in crushing back the fierce de-
sire to take her in his arms and Kiss her
quiverng lips which suddenly sprang up
IN his heart and almost oveTmastered him.
Perhaps Lois read something Of ii in the
eager eyes which looked down at her, for
she dropped his hand and colored ylvidly.
Jim gave an odd laugh.
"Hush! Well let bygones be bygones."
ne said hastily. "Only tell me one thing.
1t was not--your own wish? If you had had
your own way, our-friendship might have
continued"
"Yes." She colored again and dropped
her eyes. 1T was not my own wish; L was
very sorry" she faltered.
Jim's face grew radiant.
'That is all l wanted to know" he said
NOW tell me-when did the fever begin
How long have they been ill?"
Father had been alllng for few days.
but ue-Fred and Ibid not feel alarmed
about him until this morning, and then
Fred was too ill himself to &c for doc
tor" Lois answered, land did moi know
what to do"
"You should have sent for me-"
81 did not like to do so. | saw that girl
from the canteen this morning, and
asked her if there was any one who would
go. but
II know: never mind her insoleuce.
Lois" jim said, quickly. "fll go myself
presently, but first you must have glas 8
of champagne and something TO eat
dare say" he looked at her inquiringly,
you haven't had much to-day, eh ?"
mo. l was too anxious and unhappy to
eat," Lois answered, with faint smile.
She sat down to the table and obedientIy
ate the food he placed before her, and
drank the wine be poured out with lib
eral hand; while he stood and leaned up
against the door, and watched with quiet
satisfaction as the color came back to her
pale cheeks. aud the strained look died out
of her eyes.
"Tbere. you feel fit now." he said kindly !;
''and now I'll get horse and go for the
doctor at once. Fortunately it will he
moonlight. You understand it will be
some time before the doctor can arrive. 1t
is good four hours ride TO Cronje. and
that's the nearest place where ] can get
one; so you must not be anxious or un-
easy if we are longer than you expect. If
you'll promise me that, I'll promise the
doctor shall be here before daybreak."
II will do NV best" Lois answered.
She followed him outside the sbanty,
and as, with a nod and smile and a CHEEKY
That's right, keep up your heart" he was
turning from her, she put her hand gently
on his arm.
"Oh," she said. softly, II am so glad
that you came; that you forgave me.
How can | thank you?"
Jim started. At the touch of those
white fingers every nerve in his body
thrilled with sudden ecstacy and delight.
His strong hand closed tightly over hers
as he looked down at her. She wore a
loose white gown, which was tied round
her slim waist and fell round her in soft.
straight folds to the ground. The sun
shine streamed upon her yellow head and
flashed a strange radiance into her beauii-
ful face. Jm's eyes famed with fierce
desire and love as lie looked down at her.
Again the mad longing TO take her in his
arms and feel her heart beating against his