Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-12-21
CHAPTER V.-(Continued)
The sick man turned q startled look

| ~
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)
The sick man turned q startled look
on her.
What do you mean, little one? Tell
me, Jasmine. Have you any reason
for saying this?" .
None" she answered. gently patting
his thin hand, "but that kind Of in
stinct which you once said to me, dad
dy, all women have. I don't like him;
I mistrust him. Is 1t not strange?
There are some people, now"-she
paused, and a little soft color crept into
her cheeks-"that one feels could help
one, would never betray one. could
keep ones secrets as they would their
| own"
"Yes,' said David Lloyd, that is 80.
There is that young lawyer. now
what is his name?-Enderby; think
I could trust him. But you are wrong
about Lyndon, Jasmine; he is my
friend. Now it is time for my medi-
cine, is It not?"
Jasmine went away for 1t, and after
giving It to him, sat down by the fire.
There was soft light in her eyes, q
kind Of tremulousness on her mouth,
as she looked into the Pickering fame.
OF what was she thinking? Who can
say? The thoughts of youth are long,
long thoughts.
But she did not forget her household
duties. She ran away presently to get
the early tea which her father liked
more than any other meal. Suddenly
she heard a faint cry, and running to
her fathers side she found him lying
back in his chair, a CHASTITY color like
that Of death overspreading his face.
his eyes open, but fixed and glazed, his
lips apart, and slight froth upon
them. His whole appearance was q
terrible one; but Jasmine had seen It
once before-the night on which she
had gone for Doctor Lyndon.
She looked for basin of warm wa
ter, and put his stif hands into it, as
If with an idea that that would do him
good. AS she did so a knock sounded
on the door. She flew to it, and open
ed it to see Paul Enderby.
1t was Sunday, the day on which he
had promised to come.
"Oh, Mr.. Enderby," she exclaimed,
father is terribly i'll! Will you come
in?"
He followed her, and was shocked
- <ho
father. Jasmine continued her opera
lions, loosened the neckband Of the
dressing gown, and chafed his hands
with her own trembling ones.
Shall we lift him into bed, and I
shall run for the doctor?" said Ender-
by, in a whisper.
mo, no-not Doctor LYNDON" she
exclaimed, with a sudden energy that
startled him. "But, If you do not
mind helping me. we could lift him
into bed"
Enderby, with great gentleness, did
80. Then he stood aside, wondering,
~ he had often done before, why he
came always to be helper of this
man and his daughter; it was while
Jasmine hung over her father, doing
what she could for him with such wo-
manly and almost motherly solicitude,
that Enderby saw in her now q wo-
man, not child.
Suddenly the dreadful look passed
from the sick mans face. and he be-
gan to talk in strange, rambling,
incoherent way.
Eyes, yes, Lyndon-just 80, that's
what we must do. Keep it quiet, Of
course. But he-what is his name?-
Sir John, Sir Matthew--no, no I've
forgotten!-hell help me. He won't
see harm come to me- And then there's
Jasmine, my little one. oh, whatever
happens she must be cared for and
looked after, and she must come to
me. See here, this is how we'll
/ we'll"
His voice trembled away incoherent-
ly. Jasmine, her face very white, and
wide terror in her eyes, turned to End
erby. The young mans heart ached
at the agony in her appealing look.
HAS he ever been like this before?"
he asked in low voice.
"Only once" Jasmine whispered,
"and that was the night met you.
Oh. it is terriblel"
What can we DO? You don't wish
for Lyndon. Shall get another doc
tori" Enderby asked.
mo; he would be so put about over
it when he became conscious" She
moved to the foot of the bed. for the
incoherent babblings were now lower,
and Enderby followed her. Suddenly
she looked up with terror in her face.
1T IL awful to- think It," she said,
whispering-and he could see her lips
twitching nervously-''but III am
afraid of Doctor Lyndon. don't
trust him. Can it be-oh. dare not
say IT," ..-
Paul started violently, and he felt
his own pale face. Could there be any
thing in the vague suspicion and mis-
trust Of this man? He felt he must
know what Jasmine thought; so much
depended upon it. He laid his hand on