The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-04
CONFESSED IN TIME

attendance on the ola lady, had Degun
to pay her most marked attention.
But Ethel was not attracted by his
dark face and was glad that her in
creaslng duties rendered their meet
ings few and far between.
The daily visit of DIR. Westwood. to
which she found she looked forward
with strange delight, was over. The
doctor was just turning to leave when
a different look Of solicltude came over
his face.
you are worn and pale. nurse.
Have you been taking care OF your
own health lately%
"Oh, yes"
"Have you taken your daily exer-
else regularly? You know the end Is
not far off now, and probably you
have a hard and anxious week before
you. l insist on your going out into
the fresh air, Ethel"
The calm professional air was now
slipping from him.
The door was opened. DR.. West
wood dropped her hand, and the lovers
sprang apart.
"AIrs. PardOe says viii you come to
her at once, nurse" An hour passed
before nurse could leave her patient.
She sank into one of the seats In the
public park and was enjoying the soft
spring air, when Philip SOmers, rais-
ing his hat, came and sat down beside
her.
After a few commonplace remarks
he mentioned the name Of Richard
WestwOOd.
"a good doctor he may be-" said he.
"but a worthless, scheming fellow for
all that"
How dare you say such a thing?
What grounds have you for your cow
ardly assertion" she exclaimed.
81 think it only right you should
know" he said, feeling that now was
his opportunity. that DR.. WestwOod is
aware that Mrs. PardOe has made you
her residuary legatee. which means a
very considerable fortune to you. lie
was a witness to her will. signed four
months ago. only tell you this,
Ethel, because l love you so that
cannot bear to see you wOoed by a
man who only loves you for the money
you will possess. Ethel. will you be
my wife,"
Leave me-" she blazed out How
can you tell me that it is for money
only that can be loved"
He stammered an excuse. but she
silenced him.
That night Mrs. PardOe's illness as
sumed a more serious character, and
she Gied before morning.
On the will being read after the fu-
neral 1t was found that Ethel Mary
Walton was appointed "residuary
legatee."
Il wish a good round sum had been
mentioned" said Or. WestwOOd to old
Mr.. Somers as he was tying up his
papers. "The residue may turn out
to be half crown when all is settled
up"
"She will have about $4,000" said
the lawyer dryly. Miss Walton" he
continued, cannot be persuaded to
stay in the neighborhood. She dislikes
the place and leaves for good today"
The battle of Tel-el-Kebir had been
fought.
Among the first over the enemy's in
trenchments was Philip Somers Of the
Forty-sixth highlanders, but as he
scrambled to the top he got his death
wound and fell heavily on the other
side. Then the tide Of battle surged
back.
No one seemed to have noticed his
fall. But the young doctor who had so
lately come out had seen his perilOus
position.
Quick as thought he sprang over the
embankment, raised his burden and
bore the wounded man out of harms
way.
But Philip Somers was beyond his
skill. He recognized his protector. and
spasm passed over his pain drawn
face.
"Westwood." he gaspcd. "she loves
you, but | told her you knew Of the
legacy and only wanted her money"
"WhomY asked Richard.
Ethel" said the faint voice. BE
fore the governor found out had been
going the pace, and enlisted"-
II was some time before DR.. West
wood could be spared, and then. hurry
ing to his tent, he found that Philip
SOmers had gone TO stand before the
great Judge to whom we must all some
day render an account.
A nurse was performing for him the
last sad Offices. The quiet face oppo-
site him was in shadow. the lips moved
as If I'm prayer.
Suddenly the eyes were raised. and
he saw before him the girl he had
sought so long, and In that one look
each read the others heart.-London