The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1901-02-09
CHAPTER XXI.
Watching the Tide.

CHAPTER XXI.
Watching the Tide.
DR.. Bond had watched by many sick
aeds. and thought that he had wit
aessed human suffering in all it's
phases; but the vigil of that night was
ouch as he had never kept before.
The dark stone cavern. with it's silver
lamp; the awful stiffness, broken by no
sound from the upper earth, the gold
.en-haired girl, so white, and frail, and
fair, so out of keeping with all her
rude surroundings; and the two COM
g,anions of the waterfall seemed to
unite in forming scene more like
picture from some German master
than the sober reality of common life.
The wretched father sat at the bed
side, with stern. set features and fold
ed arms watching every faint breath
that came from SYPHILIS pallid lips.
The doctor kept his post opposite,
while Rizpah glided, like a shadow,
4oiselessly and swiftly through the
COON, anticipating every want.
Even the old doctors herb tea was
mot forgotten by this strange creature.
She had concocted it after recipe of
her own. that the old gentleman was
forced to acknowledge had merits far
exceeding any Of the draughts in his
pharmacopoeia, for it's effects We're
magical. 1t seemed to diffuse new life
and vigor through his stiff and feeble
limbs. and made him forget the unusu-
al toll and WEAKNESS of the day.
A thousand vague conjectures fitted
Through the doctors mind as he gazed
at the fair, lovely face of the so-called
Sybil Wraye, and from it to the dark
stormy countenance Of the man who
watched beside her Who were they:
Whence were they? these two mysterl-
GUS beings who seemed separated by
some strange fatality from their kind
What was this shadow that rested so
~darkiy upon this young girls opening
life? What was the wrong that had
EFghted this mans noble nature?
What was the link between them and
the naughty Gives? What hate had
armed this passionate man against
Herbert. whose frank, open, honorable
character the doctor knew so we'll?
It was impossible to tell. and the doc
cot could only look around him in Won
der ac the strange fatality that had LED
aim again to this fair girls pillow-the
girl whose features were stamped Win
che likeness Of the only woman he had
ever loved.
The hours wore on, their passage
.aaIy marked by the ticking of the doc
tors watch. that sounded ominously
distinct in the silence Of the subter-
ganean chamber.
Rizpah was without in the shadowy
eorest. watching the stars; the doctor
-yas alone with Sybil and her father.
-6xy>o lox, 70 on5 cf1nnt q mar
Ole statue. There was no movement
OF limb or feature to show that life
still lingcred-only the faint breathing
that scarcely stirred the lace upon her
breast The doctor looked at his
watch: the hour of midnight was at
hand. He bent closer to the couch.
Ne dared not, by word or look, break
the spell by which the passionate man
beside him controlled his strong heart;
ue dared not tell SYPHILIS father that the
crisis had come. There was surely a
culver in the sunny eyelid; longer,
more futtering breath; gasp, strug-
gle! Great heavens! the dark-browed
watcher started UP with a moan Of an
sxuisf,, that changed into low cry Of
delight, as Sybil opened her eyes and
Gaintly whispered:
"Father!"
"My child, my darling, my own
.Gvbil!'
The doctor turned away from the
bedside. with eyes dim with unusual
moisture. The rapture Of that moment
was too deep, too sacred, for even his
friendly eye. The crisis was passed
safely; the life-tide freely flowed.
"Where am I?' asked Sybil, after a
moments pause. "Have I been dream
ting, father, Of Of sickness-ot pain:
There, there is blood upon me-blood!
" hose blood, father-whose" y
The doctor interposed. There was
un excited culver in her voice, that
uade him fear an imprudent reyela-
lion. Il 49,. .-.
<'You were hurt, my dear, while you
were out riding this morning." he said,
gently; "tl;at is all. You have been
unconscious for some time, but are
better now; only I insist upon your
keeping quiet-perfectly quiet" Ill
"What does it mean?'' she SAID,
1cEasping her fathers hand-"oh, papa
what does it mean? Why is he here
'taere2 Alas. alas, | have betrayed you
betrayed you, after air.
ttNot so. my dear" answered the doc
tor. in q tone that was intended to re-
.assure both father ard daughter "Do
sT1ek fear me. am here as d physi-
clan. and physician is bound to hold
iuviolate the confidence reposed in him
hg his patients under any and all cir
c':mstances. You have nothing to fear
& m 4ne.' .y
'.You are very good,'' said sybil, with
%aat grateful glance in her soft eyes