The Holly chieftain., 1900-12-28
CHAPTER VIII

IL mad been Sir Henry! Enderby
had no doubt of that as he entered the
sick room. But he kept revolving in
his mind the new mystery. II Sir
Henry had seen David Lloyd nearly
six months ago, why had he kept ST.
lence on the subject and prevented the
law from taking Its course?
Had 1t been out of human desire
to save the miserable man from the
fate that would be Inevitable once his
whereabouts and Identity with the out
lawed man Gerard were discovered?
The dying man lay on his pillow
with closed eyes, looking SO ghastly
that for moment fear took Enderby
that he was dead. jasmine. seeing the
thought in his face. clutched his arm.
He is only sleeping; he has moved
since was I'M" she whispered, in an
anguished whisper.
Enderpy felt his pulse; then nodded.
"Yes. he is sleeping; we can do
nothing" he said. I'VE must wait till
Doctor Bunthorne comes. He will not
be long. / shall stay with you till he
comes"
"oh. no. you have other things to
do" exclaimed the girl. ''It is too
good Of you, but you must not do 1t.
l shall be all right alone"
The pitifulness Of the position Of the
poor child utterly alone in this great
city, friendless, forlorn, with the dy-
ing father whom she loved. who was
only, perhaps. to leave her a legacy
OF shame, struck upon Enderby's heart
again with strange force.
Il shall not leave you, my poor little
child" he said. and instinctively his
hand sought hers and closed upon It,
Hers was cold and trembling; his
strong, warm, and full of human sym
pathy.
+ Jasmine's eyes rose to his face; but
he did not see the look. II he had,
perhaps it would have startled him a
little. He did not know how. in the
midst of an agony OF sorrow and
dread, the girls heart thrilled at his
touch as 1t had never thrilled in her
life before.
They sat down together, Jasmine
with her eyes on her fathers face, and
set themselves to watch and wait. En-
derby thought Doctor Bunthorne would
arrive soon, and had made up his mind
to wait until the doctor came. But the
time passed, and he did not come; and
still David Lloyd slept on.
Enderby had an engagement with the
solicitor in his case at 4 o'clock. but
he felt he could not leave Jasmine
alone even II he broke 1t.
Suddenly, to the startled surprise Of
both his watchers. the sick man opened
his eyes wide and hxed them upon
Enderby's face. There was conscious
ness in them. notwithstanding the
shadow that was ever creeping higher
and higher, and deepening and darken-
ing upon his face-such full conscious
ness that Enderby was startled.
"Mr. Enderby," said the weak voice.
It was only whisper. and Endssby
had to bend his head to catch It. 1T
ID you. u 1t not?" @
1T is I, Mr.. Lloyd" said 'the young
man. while Jasmine, with hands tight
ly clasped on her breast. as II to keep
down Its Wild heaving. stood close 10
her fathers pillow.
"Is there anything can do for your.
eyes. yes" he muttered fstntly, 81
have been wandering in my mind, I
think. I imagined strange things; but
now all IL clear. even the fact that I
am dying. and my child. my little
Jasmine, u left slone to face poverty.
hardship. perhaps shame. Oh. II l had
but dons that which / knsw was right
Tor me 70 do! But now / am weak
hsye not strength"
''Perhaps We can give you some
thing thai will revive your strength I
littls." said Enderby. y