Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1900-10-03
uITAPrmR xM.


herself She was trembling from head
to foot. Never till this minute had
she realized the force of her own feel
ings. Long since she had come to
the conclusion that her feeling for Ber-
nard had been merely that preference
which SO many young girls mistake for
love. But this other feeling, which for
months had been steadily growing in
her HEARTH had needed but the fact
of Valdane's being In danger to reveal
to her the strength which 1t had at
tained. Thoughts OF dellrium, ampu-
tation, fever, death, came crowding
upon her Imagination. She was Obliged
to summon all her self-control to keep
from breaking down.
Presently the porter came back with
the nurse, pretty dark-eyed young
woman, with sympathetic face She
looked at Marguerite kindly, but spoke
in rather coldly authoritative man
ner.
II am very sorry. I daren't let Mr..
Martineau see any one without doc
tors orders, and the doctors not here
now"
.'oh, but must see himl" Margner-
lite said, a frantic sense of helplessness
stealing over her.
I'm very sorry. It's not visiting
time, you know; and | got into trouble
last week for admitting visitor like
this. 1 really am sorry. Try tomor-
row."
Tomorrow He might be dead by
then. Now, now was the time. Hav-
ing come so far she must attain her
end; perhaps tomorrow she would not
be able to screw up. her courage.
as no one admitted not their near
est relations when they are so i'll?
1t is very cruel she said
well, perhaps his mother might be,
or his wife,
Marguerite was past sticking at trl.
fles now.
II am his wife, she said.
Are your" 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 IT
know-that is all right. But indeed l
am his wife! Oh. let me IMP
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 the bottom OF her heart that she
had not come, now utterly carried
away by the thought re- sesi ',s him
.nasinr -fs esst4ss V 4 .,;Sytfie 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 moment" said
the nurse, as she passed inside.
Again the suspense was almost sick
ening. 1t seemed to Marguerite hours
before the nurse returned.
TITS all right. You can go in" she
said
For the first time Marguerite won
dered what she should do.
"Is he delirious?" she asked of the
nurse.
ooh, no; he's perfectly sensiblev
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 noiselessly
| into the room.
There was slight movement as
valdane sank back upon his pillows.
my wife" he said, in rather low
but distinct voice my wife I could
not believe IT. But it is you--really
you"
The flowers fell from her hands. She
made a step forward. and tried tC
speak, but could not. for the tears
which overran nsr eyes and fell dowr
her face. He had held ont his hant
and she took it, held it for momen
between her own, and then Impulsive
ly carried it to her lips.
"Take care" said Valdane, gently
"Do nothing you win regret afterward
You think am dying, and hoped
was; but they tell me now that an
to live and be sound again, SO let u
have nothing that you wish recalled
you win live-you will? All, hoy
thankful ami"