Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-09-14

1NE0sS ~ % ~ n ~ ~ mn q
BY II. B. Mackenzie

4So, HO! snail Ole DeIOTe marry
you-die thousand times rather! O
God, Is there no help for me? Help
me. merciful, kind God!" Then her
voice sank to whisper III Adair
were here-ah, he would help me! He
is good and brave. But he will never
know now that 1 loved him." The
voice trembled little. and then 81
lence-blessed silence-came.
And Adair Rothes. with trembling
hands, and eyes full of passionate,
longing tenderness, bent over the un-
conscious girl with an agonized
prayer.
"Merciful Cod spare her to me, if it
be Thy will. My darling-my own
darling! And she cried to me in her
extremity, and I did not know Of it,!
Bluebell. Bluebell."
Miss Elizabeth arrived in the spider
twenty-four hours after, and could
only wiring Rothes' hand in silence,
her thin. sallow, unlovely face work
ing convulsively.
God will spare her, Miss Eliza
BETH Rothes said huskily. eve both
owe debt we can never repay to the
young fellow who found her, for you
know it was not I who did so. We
might never have seen her again but
for Lieutenant Preston"
Rothes knew his duty lay in Lady
smith, yet he could not tear himself
from Bluebell's side until he knew
whether it was to be life or death.
Mercifully, the delirium did not last
long, and on the third day, after a
long sleep, she opened her eyes, that
had full reason in them, upon her
aunt.
"Auntie. where am I? she asked
feebly. Oh, what fearful dream |
have had."
When Miss Elizabeth ran for Rothes
the strong man felt himself trembling
like q child. He returned with her
quickly. but he could not speak when
Bluebells eyes rose to his.
Il have had such a fearful dream,
DR.. Rothes," she whispered, her eyes
appealing with dumb pathos to his
trustful ones. 81 am afraid it was a
reality, though. Is my father dead .
Did Mr.. Moore carry me away? And
was I dying in the veldt?"
1T is all true"-holding the poor
little weak hand in his own strong one
but, God be thanked, you are safe
now-safe and in good keeping. All
you have to do is to get we'll"
did you find me?' she whispered.
And he felt the little hand culver.
He had determined not to speak,
but the question upset all his determi-
nations. He sank on his knees. hold
ing the little hand to his lips.
II was seeking for you six days,
Bluebell but after all it was young
officer who found you and gave you
to my keeping. Oh, Bluebell, my heart
is torn in two when. I think of all you
have gone through and I unable to
help you-not knowing at first you
wanted help-I, who would give my
life to save you pain! My darling! my
own darling!"
A little wave of color spread over
her white face; her throat fluttered.
"You-love me. them" she whis-
pered.
II have loved you ever since I first
met you at Maritzburg, Bluebell; but
l never dared to hope. Bluebell, it
seems wrong to speak of it at this ter
rible time; but you do care a little,
after all, about me?-do you?"
The little, wasted hand stroked his
cheek.
81 love you with all my heart. Adair.
knew it that awful night when the
Boers''-she paused, shuddering
you'll take care of me. and not let
that dreadful man come near me-"
He folded the hand to his breast,
and, bending, kissed again and again
the pale little face, cheeks, and eyes
and lips.
Rothes went back to Ladysmith next
day. The battle of Elandslaagte had
taken place, and the hospital in the
little town was full.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dalziel were kindness
itself, and insisted on the Leslies stay
ing as long as ever they felt inclined.
On the first day on which Bluebell
i. IS able to get up Adair Rothes ap-
peared. 1t was two days after the
battle Of Ladysmith, of which word
had been brought to the Dalziels.
Bluebell welcomed him with a blush
and a smile that made Rothes' heart
throb. But there was something in his
face which made Bluebell's heart fret
with mingled fear and anxiety.
You have some news? What is it?
Tell me quickly, Adair:" she breathed,
lifting her face from its hiding place.
Yes, my darling" Rothes answered
slowly; II have strange news for yon.
do not know how you will take it,
Bluebell; something very terrible hap
pened at the battle on Monday Some
one was killed there-some one whom
you knew"
1T was Gerald Moore!" said Bluebell
quickly. She turned very pale, and
shivered little.
II went up to him. when the battle