The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-07-26


nurmured, while deathly faintness
isized him.
$50 bad as that, l fear" Mr.. Wade
answered, mechanically taking up a
pile of papers and running over them.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
"What's this?-a letter written by
Frank himself and never sent?"
I The pity that a moment ago had
illed Weaver vanished, and a fierce
lesire to escape detection had taken
is place.
"Why, yes" he said; II remember
Frank intended to invite Miss Wiley
20 the opera for Thursday, but
changed his mind, and, suppose, did
aot send the letter. However, l am
going down to inquire after him at
noon. and if you will give me the let
ter, I'll leave 1t with his mother"
"Yes, yes" assented Mr.. Wade;
that's good idea"
Just then Jimmy entered. Catch
ing sight of the letter in Mr.. Wade's
hand, he exclaimed:
why, Mr.. Weaver, you didn't mail
that letter that day"
Weaver turned pale.
"You don't know what you are talk
ing about" he said, as Mr. Wade
glanced up, inquiringly.
"Yes, l do" Jimmy persisted;
"that's the letter Mr.. Hepburn gave
me to mail the day before he got
sick. Don't you remember his say
ing that little cross was secret
sign?"
"Why didn't you mail it, Jimmy?"
Mr.. Wade interrupted, sternly.
"Why, sir, on my way to the office
Mr.. Weaver took it from me, and said
he'd mail it himself"
Jimmy had taken the letter from
Mr.. Wade's hands, and, turning II
over, exclaimed:
"It's opened now!"
"Mr. Weaver, l am sorry for this"
Mr. Wade said, simply, and left the
room.
His heart was very tender towards
the poor boy he had seen that morn
ing tossing restlessly from side to
side, and still trying to murmur:
Bertha"
"The name is the same" he COM
mented. "I'll take her the note and.
explain its delay. There may be
connection between this and his brain
fever. God grant there is"
Hurriedly calling a cab, he drove to
the address on the envelope. and was
soon greeted by young lady, who
responded to his inquiry for Miss
Bertha Wiley"
''Is this your letter." he asked, alb
ruptly.
She looked at him rather haughtily
an instant, then her whole air
changed to one of intense eagerness
as she caught sight of the address.
"Yes," she breathed, and in mo-
ment had taken the note and de-
voured its contents.
"Where did you get it?'' she asked,
looking up, the pretty color that
tinged her cheeks as she read dying
out, and her little air of hauteur re-
turning, though her eyes still danced.
and there was glad ring in her
sweet voice.
Ignoring her question, Mr.. Wade
said, sharply:
do you know its writer is dying"
Dying! Frank!-oh, my darling!"
There was no need to ask If this
was the Bertha. Only one woman can
utter mans name in that tone. The
light and the color died out of her
face in an instant, and hard,
strained look came in their place,
more pitiful than any tears. She put
her hand on her heart moment,
and then said, simply:
Take me to him, please"
"Get your hat" Mr.. Wade answered.
But she only looked at him again
and whispered: Take me to him."
Without word more, he led her
to the still waiting cab.
On reaching the. house, Mr., Wade
left her in the hall and hurried up-
stairs. A few, swift words explained
hastened down.
You must be very quiet" he said,
gently, though the charge seemed un-
necessary in greeting the almost
stony figure that awaited him. sleep
must come within an hour, or death
or hopeless insanity will result; but
go TO him, look and speak quietly and
naturally, and if it is you he is dying
for Ga shudder ran through the girD,
we may save him yet"
The doctor led the way to the sick
room, opened the door, and stood
aside as she entered. Bertha swayed
for an instant as she caught sight of
the pitiful, wasted form extended he-
fore her; but love triumphed, and,
swiftly advancing to the bedside, she
bent above the wistful eyes and said,
clearly and softly:
Love, did you call me?"
"Bertha!" the pinched lips tried to
say.
"Yes, Bertha" she cooed, softly
laying her cool lips on his; land now,
darling, shut your eyes. / will put
my cheek against yours and we will
rest"
Like n tired child, he obeyed her,
nesting his head on the cool, soft
arm she slipped under it, while the
peachy cheek that lay on his seemed
to possess an almost magic power.
"He is saved!" the doctor muir
INJURED TO the happy, bewildered
mother; and so it proved, for Frank
Hepburn awoke-very weak, indeed,
but rational, ready to drink gallon
4 IS fnn iaI