Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-04-25

matter" he asked, turning to the SER
want who had entered.
Miss Hettie 10 i'll, SIR" replied the
man. "Miss Hatton found her in faint
on the terrace, and ordered her to be
carried to her room"
Sr Basil's face turned chastity white.
II she were III. 1t was his fault. He
ought not to have left her; he should
have remained with her and risked all.
Sir Basils thoughts were gloomy ones
as he walked home to Glen. What was
he to do? This state Of things could not
last. Even II he could control himself,
Leah was 60 quick that she would soon
perceive what it was that was amiss
with Hettie; and then Well. he
thought It would be far easier to meet
death in any shape than to meet Leah
after she knew his secret. He could not
witness Hettie's suffering, nor could he
bear to think Of Leah's despair. He could
not understand the difficulties by which
he was encompassed: he was like one
cropping In the dark. He determined that
he would rest his brain and his thoughts,
and then decide.
1t was easier to plan than to do. No
rest, no sleep came to him that night. The
sisters seemed to stand on either side Of
his pillow-Hettie whom he worshiped,
Leah who loved him. He told himself
that, IL this lasted much longer, he should
80 mad.
The morning brought him sad intelli-
genee-a note from Leah saying that
Hettie was u and that the doctor, for
whom they had sent in all haste, pro-
nounced IL Q dangerous case of brain
fever.
Come over as soon as you can and
comfort me, Basil l cannot endure to
think that have found my sister only
to lose her."
"If she dies have murdered her." he
aid to himself bitterly.
He went over at once and found the
xho.e household in despair. The general
met him with outstretched hand and
grave facN
Brain feverv' he said. Basil, what
can have caused brain fever? l cannot
understand it. And she is in danger
really in danger! Poor, pretty Hettie!
What u to be doneT'
There was no need for Sir Basil to ex-
press his sympathy. II anything could
Of his distress it would have been the
hearty, honest, evident grief Of his young
companion.
1t was a melancholy time. For many
days the shadow Of death lay over the
household. There were hushed voices,
silent footsteps, and fervent prayers for
the beautiful young girl who lay quite
unconscious Of all that passed. Every
thing that skill and love could suggest
was done, but for many days the issue
was doubtful. 1t was Leah's first ex-
perience of Illness or physical suffering,
and it impressed her greatly. None Of
the sufferers words were Ineligible
her utterance was only an inarticulate
murmur, vague and terrible. Once or
twice, when Leah was with her, she
thought she overheard the word Glen; )"
but she concluded 1t must have been
fancy. It brought no meaning to her, a.
though 1t was the name Of her lovers
home.
During those long weeks Of weary suf
fering no man could have been more mis-
cradle than Sir Basil. He wandered
round the house like q shadow. He could
not bear to leave it, nor could he bear
to be left alone. He seemed to spend the
greater part Of the day In asking but one
question from different people-"How II
she now" He grew thin, pale and hsg-
gard; years seemed to have fallen on
nim.
Leah was troubled about him, and
warned him to be careful, for he looked
as though he were about to have q severe
illness himself.
(To be contInued)