The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-09-15
But no reply had come TO II.

he heard her heavier footsteps cross the
room. he said:
who is that?"
your nurse" replied the woman.
"Was it you who sat up with mo last
night?"
mo; It was Miss Terrier" was the reply.
'"Then, where am II" demanded the sick
a
East Barcham Rectory. Miss Terrier,
who has helped to nurse you, is the rector's
daughter"
The man uttered a quickly suppressed ex-
clamation.
Does she know who I ann" he asked
NO; nobody knows. Tor you were not
recognizable. The injuries to your face
were very bad. but they are healing beau
tifully. You are scarcely disngured at all
now, and will be able to have the band
ages off in a day or two said the nurse.
'And then, I suppose. they will be able
to know me?"
"Well. yes, provided they set eyes on you
before. But you are a stranger about these
parts, aren't your
I'm tired. 1 don't think I can talk any
more" And the invalid turned his face to
the wall.
But when the nurse was busy In the ad-
Joining room getting his beef tea ready.
hs pushed the shade up from his eyes, ane
gazed round the room.
Yes. It was indeed. his own room; the
bedroom he had used as a boy: the room
he had feared never to see again.
And Beatrice. the sister he loved SO dear
iy. had been his nurse.
Harki She was coming.
He lay down again, pulling up the clothes
about his face.
Nurse. wouldn't you like to 60 out 4 1T
tie? I'll stay with him-your patient aSd
Beatrice.
The nurse from the inner room banked
her and accepted the proposal. And 20
brother and sister were left alone.
Dick listened to the ticking Of the
clock in the quiet room till it got on his
nerves, and he wished that Beatrice would
speak and break the stiffness. At last shs
did SO.
With a little cry Of rapture that she
could no longer contain. she ran across the
room, and dropped on her knees by the
bedside.
"Dick!' she cried. "Dick. I know Il 70
you! oh, my boy-my boyr'
She drew his bandaged face to her own
with tender. careful hands, and kissed him
on the forehead. the only place for hsR
lips to touch.
At that very moment the door was pushed
softly open. and Mark Paget stood on the
threshold. He withdrew without being
seen. and closed the door As quietly rs he
had opened II.
Without a word he went Downstairs and
out Of the house. He had seen enough. He
felt that In all his life he had never had
such a blow as this.
The woman he loved loved another man.
She could never be his. He could never
see her again. No. he could not bear It.
oh. God. this is hard to bear" he cried,
as, standing alone on the cliff, he barred his
head. and raised his eyes to the blue
expanse Of heaven.
Ere he turned his STEPS homeward the
spirit of endurance and submission to the
will Of God had come back to him., and
he knew that he must face the future. lone
ly and dark though 1t looked. and live for
others. not for himself.
He called at Cllff Cottage on his way, and
found poor Mrs. Jenkins progressing slow
ly; then he went on to Thorn Cottage.
And she wanted to consult Mark as to
the best way Of breaking the joyful news
to her father.
but I must see him-I must!' she cried
aloud. And. in her impulsive way, she ran
the house. caught up her garden hat.
and the next minute was walking swiftly
the road to Thorn Cottage.
No idea of etiquette entered her mind at
that moment. All she knew was that she
must see Mark. and at once.
At the cottage she was told that he was
In. and the woman was about to show her
into his sitting-room. when Beatrice mo.
toned her aside.
Softly she opened the door and closed IT
her; for Mark Paget sat in the
gathering twilight. his arms across the
table. and his head resting on them.
Beatrice caught her breath sharply. The
next instant her hand was on his shoulder.
Mark she whispered.
He looked up. startled.
Beatrice. what does this mean?' he
cried.
"That-oh!' she cried. dropping on her
knees beside him., must / tell you? That
that ! love your"
For the moment everything was forgot
.en but her avowal. Mark folded her in his
arms. murmuring hot words of passionate
owe But suddenly he held her away from
him.
What does 1t mean?' he asked. IT saw
you kiss that man-the stranger who IL III
N your house!'
You saw me? Well. what II YOU did7
fou cannot be Jealous of my own brother2'
The answered.
And then, in establishment. Mark listened
% her story.
But a still greater surprise awaited Mark
he next day when he called at the rectory.
Beatrice came to him with a softened
ook of content on her face.
Father knows ALL she said. HE "a
With Dick now And as soon as he comes
you and 1 will go upstairs. 1 am
to Introduce my brother to NV fu.
ure husband
A few minutes afterwards they heard the
.ector enter the study. ard close the door.
DICK said Beatrice. as she entered the
room. II want to introduce a very
'reat friend TO you. a man ] hope you will
IKE very much, for he is going to become
our brother-ih-law. and I am going to
marry a parson after ALL"
Mark stepped forward. and uttered a CRY
I astonishment.
Dick. old fellow! My dear, dear. bow"
gasped. as he clasped the young mans 4
and in his.
Why, It's Mr.. Paget!' said Dick. Ana y
hen turning to his sister. he said: when
was starving. penniless. despairing. he
1~A 49,