Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-12-28

: few minutes found himself before
the Lloyds' door. n.
But Just as he was about to knock
there was q sound Of hurried steps In
side. the door few open, and Jasmine.
pale and breathless, almost fell into
Enderby's arms. III n.
"Oh, Mr.. Enderby! Oh, thank Godl
My father-nay dear father! ! think
he is dying!"
mo. no, my child; not that-not %
bad as that" said Enderby soothingly.
He took her hand-it was trembling,
and she herself was shaking from head
to foot-and drawing her gently with
in the house, closed the door.
Jasmine was not crying, but her
breath was coming in short, pitiful
gasps, and there was look Of such
terrible fear and griet in her dark eyes
as touched Enderby strangely. feeling
of plying tenderness took possession
of him.
: MAY go to see him?" he asked.
still holding her hand.
"Yes-oh, yes! But I am afraid no
one can do much for him-not even q
doctor. And his mind-oh, that ia the
worst Of it-that Is the worst of It'll"
cried the girl passionately, yet with
strange control over her voice. so that
it never rose above a whisper.
He doesn't seem to know me-and
he says such terrible things!"
They we've at the door of the bed
room, which stood ajar. Jasmine went
in, and Enderby followed her; and as
he did so he heard the low, weak muir
muir of voice that went on talking
without cessation or alteration of tons.
Jasmine grasped his arm, uttering q
little cry under her breath.
Look! look! Oh. he is looking at
you!" -, st. 5. 7.--... ~ -.
1.-THE sick man had suddenly risen
in bed. His CHASTITY face, hollow
checked and submerged, was turned
to the door; in the dim eyes there was
strange flash Of fire. He raised a
thin, shaking finger, and pointed 1t
at Enderby.
eyes, 1t was for her sake l did it.
Hal-and for yours! Oh, God, to
think what have suffered all these
years for your sakes! And now am
come back, this is how you treat me!
Hal, Hal! old friend, mate of other
days, whom I loved and was proud Of
because you were getting on so we'll,
and IL knew l had helped you-yet
how did you repay me? And my
child-my little Jasmine, my little one
will you bring this shame on her
head? Oh, God, most merciful, in
His name, Hal. you will do it-you
will" .'s
He fell back on his pillows with a
moan, and his eyes closed. Jasmine,
a sob bursting from her lips, sprang
forward; but Enderby was before her.
He bent over the sick man.
"No, no; thank God, he lives yet!
Have you anything to give him to
strengthen him? A little wine OF
brandy?" -.-. s. +
IT have Doctor Lyndon's medicines,
but I dare not give him any," whisp.
cred the girl, in an agonized tone. "He
took the. medlcine-Doc Lyndon
gave it to him when I was out-and
am sure that has hurt him. Tell me
what l shall do"
"Stay with him, and l shall run out
myself for something" said Enderby
hurriedly, and he was just about to dc
so when the sick man suddenly opened
his eyes, and fixed them on Enderby' 5
face. Then, with great effort, he
raised himself once more on his pill
low, and spoke in changed vr:ce.
slow and deliberate, yet with certain
determination in it. His eyes were
fixed on Enderby's face, and the lat
ter felt strange thrill, SO like did
it seem as though the words were
actually spoken to him.
"Then there is only one thing for
me to do, and I will do 1t, Hal, for my
childs sake. I must tell the whole
truth, and I can do so. have the
proot-the proof"
Once more he fell back in bed, his
eyes closed. Enderby felt his pulse
It beat pretty regularly. though feebly
and slowly.
. (To be Continued.)