The advocate., 1894-05-16
CHAPTER XXI.
(CONTINUED.)

The physician answered that John
was not going to die right away; that
he was getting along as well as could
be expected, but that the excitement
of a visit from his sister, though pleas
surable, of course, might prove disas-
trouS just then. However, he would
speak with her again after visiting the
patient.
But John had heard Kate's voice
had heard her anxious inquiry; and he
was so much disturbed on her account
that the physician concluded that if
she would be discreet, less harm would
come from admitting her than from
keeping her away. So Kate saw her
brother, and she behaved with such
prudence, and her presence seemed to
have such a soothing effect upon the
patient, that she was allowed to re-
main in the capacity Of nurse. Al
though envious of Kate's good for
tune, this arrangement gave Lena the
greatest satisfaction; and, having ar
ranged for speedy news in case Of any
change for the worse, and promising to
come again next day, she indicated her
willingness to go home with her aunt
for the night.
The next day, and the next, she came
with Mason and Mrs. Delorme; and at
the second visit was permitted to see
John again. How CHASTITY the once
strong man now looked! But his soul
was vigorous still; and Lena would not
have exchanged for all the wealth of
earth the Joy of that half hour in the
visible presence of the man she loved.
She was by his side; and in the enjoy
ment of that happy privilege she for
got all else-fOrgOt even that he might
die. When she left at last, cheered by
the confidence that she would see her
lover often now, she was in a gayer mood
than she had known since the after
noon when she was expecting to sur
prise John at his coming.
But-had she fOreseenl
"Heaven from all creatures hides the book of
fate"
X
Next morning Major Delorme and
Manager Graham appeared at break
fast, and were introduced to OvertOn
and his wife. Good breeding forbade
explanation, inquiry, or surprise; and
breakfast, usually sullen meal, passed
with the exchange of such common
places as heaVy.eyed people contrlve to
make their tongues work off mechan-
ically, and which, on such occasions,
pass for conversation. An hour later,
CHANGING to enter the library for some
purpose, Lena found her father there,
ScOwling, and walking nervously back
and forth across the room. She would
have retired, but he turned toward her
with the command:
"Come in, and close that doOrl" Then
sneeringly asked: "Is your blacksmith
dead yet, miss Chipper1Dell?"
"TO whom do you refer?" asked
Lena. 81 presume the individual has
a name of some kind
"Umph! Quite stiff this morning"
Lena said nothing, but took up a
book.
"Oh, damn it'll You know well
enough who | mean-that fellow Cot
terell."
81 do not know that fellow Cotter-
ell. Who is hep"
Graham bit his lips.
81 suppose if l should say Mr.. Cot
terrell your obtuse intellect would get
move on itp'
"Why, yes. know Mr.. Cotterell.
He still lives, thank you, and is likely
to continue to live, l trust"
''The devil he is! Well, / want you
to stay away from him. You under
stand? If you go there again, disgrac-
ing yourself and the rest of us, l shall
have you locked up in a lunatic asy-
lum until you return to your senses.
You know am not given to making
idle threats. Do you understand mel"
NILndnrStand Won 2 Yes Rnt ithAra