The Holly chieftain., 1900-07-27
By H. B. M.eten.is

How much the man watching her
with agonized eyes and racked heart
vas to learn Of all the poor child had
come through!
Water. water." she would moan.
mot drop. o God, let me die soon.
Don't let me endure this maddening
thirst longer! Hark. that was lions
roar, Oh, hope 1t was! Better to
die at once, And they say one doesn't
feel pain. It is like mouse in a cats
claws. Oh. anything-anything better
than this awful burning thirst! My
throat. it's like red-hot coal!" Then
she would imagine herself in Moore's
power.
No. no! I shall die before marry
you-die a thousand times rather! o
God. is there no help for me? Help
voice sank to whisper. s"If Adair
were here-ah. he would help me! He
is good and brave. But he wilk never
know now that loved him" The
voice trembled a little. and then 81
lence-blessed silence-came
And Adair Rothes. with trembling
hands, and eyes full of passionate,
longing tenderness. bent over the un-
conscious girl with an agonized
prayer
"Merciful God, spare her to me, II 1t
be Thy will, My darling-my own
darling! And she cried to me in her
extremity. and did not know OF it,
Bluebell. Bluebell,"
Miss Elizabeth arrived in the spider
twenty-four hours after and could
only wiring Rothes' hand in silence,
her thin, sallow, unlovely face work
ing convulsively.
God will spare her. Miss Eliza
BETH" Rothes said huskily. I'VE both
owe debt we can never repay to the
young fellow who found her. for you
know 1t was not l who did SO. We
might never have seen her again but
for Lieutenant Preston"
Rothes knew his duty lay in Lady
smith. yet he could not tear himself
from Bluebells side until he knew
whether 1t was to be life or death.
Mercifully, the delirium did not last
long, and on the third day. after a
long sleep. she opened her eyes, that
had full reason in. them, upon her
aunt.
"Auntie. where am I? she asked
feebly. Oh. what fearful dream l
have had!"
When Miss Elizabeth ran for Rothes
the strong man felt himself trembling
like n child. He returned with her
quickly. but he coulds not speak when
Bluebell's eyes rose to his.
| Il have had such fearful dream.
DR.. Rothes." she whispered. her eyes
appealing with dumb pathos to his
trustful ones. Il am afraid 1t was a
reality, though. Is my father dead:
Did Mr. Moore carry me away? And
was dying in the veldt?"
at is all true''-holding the poor
| little weak hand in his own strong one
but, God be thanked. you are safe
now-safe and in good keeping. All
| You have to do is to get we'll"
Did you find me?" she whispered.
And he felt the little hand quiver.
He had determined not to speak,
but the question upset all his determi-
nations He sank on his knees. hold
| ing the little hand to his lips.
81 was seeking for you six days,
Bluebell; but after all it was young
officer who found you and gave you
to my keeping. Oh, Bluebell, my heart
is torn in two when think of all you
have gone through and l unable to
help you-not knowing at first you
wanted help-I. who would give my
life to save you pain. My darling. my
own darling."
A little wave of color spread over
her white face: her throat fluttered.
"You-love me. them" she whis-
pered.
II have loved you ever since hrst
met you at Maritzburg. Bluebell; but
I never dared to hope. Bluebell. 1t
seems wrong to speak of 1t at this ter
rible time; but you do care little.
after all. about me?-do you?"
The little, wasted hand stroked his
cheek
II love you with all my heart. Adair.
knew 1t that awful night when the
Boers"-she paused, shuddering.
You'll take care of me. and not let
that dreadful man come near me?"
He folded the hand to his breast,
and, bending. kissed again and again
the pale little face, cheeks, and eyes
and lips.
Rothes went back to Ladysmith next
day. The battle OF Elandslaagte had
taken place, and the hospital in the
little town was full.
| Mr and Mrr DalziaI Wara kindnass