The silver star., 1899-12-08

lie said. : frantic sense Of helplessness
stealing over her.
I'm very sorry. It's mot visiting
time. you know: and got Into trouble
last week for admitting visitor like
this. l really am sorry. Try tOmor-
row."
Tomorrow! He might be dead By
then. Now. now was the time. Hav-
ing come 20 far. she must attain her
end: perhaps tomorrow she would not
be able to screw up her courage.
rs NO one admitted-not their near
est relations-when they are so illf
Il 10 very cruel" she said.
well. perhaps his mother might be,
or his Wife"
Marguerite was past sticking At tri-
fes now.
II am his wife," she said.
Are you?" returned the nurse. II
thought his wife was dead"
why should you think that?" asked
Marguerite.
Because he's got a wedding ring
suspended from his neck by piece OF
ribbon"
"Oh. yes!" Marguerite stammered, II
know-that is all right But indeed
am his wife! Oh. let me in!"
The nurse was conquered, and re-
quested Marguerite to follow her.
Now that her point was gained Mar
guerite was filled with all sorts Of fears
and was shivering and trembling as
she followed her guide-now wishing
from tho haitian ~ ho. T. ~
had not come. now utterly carried
away by the thought Of seeing him
again. She dared not ask the nurse
any questions as to his condition-she
could not trust her voice.
They reached the door Of the private
room he occupied.
Nov wait here a moment" said
the nurse. as she passed inside.
Again the suspense was almost sick
ening. 1t seemed to Marguerite hours
before the nurse returned.
Its all right. You can 20 In" she
said:
For the first time Marguerite won
dered what she should do.
rs he delirious?" she asked of the
nurse.
"oh. no; he's perfectly sensible!
Marguerite had expected delirium-
she had not realized the fact that VAL
dane would know her. and now felt
herself tremble until she called forth
all her strength. physical and moral.
and walked steadily and noiselesslv
into the room.
There was a slight movement "A
Vaidane sank back upon his pillows.
MY wife," he said. In a rather low.
but distinct voice-"my wife. could
not believe It. But 1t Is you-reaIlv
you"
The flowers fell from her hands sbe
made step forward, and tried IN
speak. but could not, for the tear.
which overran ner eyes and fell down
her face. He had held out his hand
and she took 1t. held It for a moment
between her own. and then impulsive-
ly carried 1t to her lips.
Take care" said valdane. gently.
DO nothing you will regret afterward
You think I am dying, and I honed 7
was: but they tell me now that I am
to live and be sound again, SO let us
have nothing that you wish recalled ;.
You will live-you will! All. how
thankful I ami"
"Thankful?" he echoed.
"Yes. thankful-so thankful for ev-
erything! First. that you married
me. then that Bernard threw me over.
then that l happened to come to Lon.
don yesterday. and last that I came
here. with you-with you!"
And you said you were INV wife
you told the nurse you were nv wife. /"
he said slowly. his eyes fixed long
! ingly upon her face. Marguerite. my
life. my love. did you mean that?"
There was a long silence. At last
she said:
Yes. meant It,"
The bed was strewn with fraRrant
flowers. A shaft OF spring sunlieht
streaming through the tall window
rested on the two heads.
"val." she whispered. "val," VI
must never be parted any more"