Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-21
Copyright, 1899, by J. B. Lippincott Com
 pany. All -t-hts reserved.
CHAPTER V.


 could provide for his comfort, every thing demanded by convention, sur rounded him. No one would ever say, his house, that the sick man lacked anything that loving sympathy and tender solicitude could suggest. The deep velvet carpet gave back no sound under the feet of those who moved around him; curtains of damask and lace softened the too direct rays of light which entered the long windows across the balcony; bits of landscape and color relieved the wide eXpanse of wall; and flowers lent freshness and fragrance to the soft spring air sparingly admitted.
 The old man was haggard from loss of rest and from apprehension. His once lorid face was pallid and the cheeks sunken. His eyes shone with an unnatural brilliancy. One need not have been a skilled physi- clan to have detected the fact that deaths seal was upon that pale face and shrunken frame. The tiny spark of life might glimmer in its socket for days, weeks, even months; 1t would never again send up clear and steady blaze.
 Within the same room several peo- pie had gathered, controlled by varied sentiments. Dr. Brodrar was there, his massive frame bent above the sick man, his eyes everywhere. Pulse, respiration, temperature, were pa tiently ascertained, and with unsat- isfactory results, evidently, for the <oa %a1l %o1a or twice his eyes rested upon a tall woman in black who moved slowly about the invalid, touching his hands and forehead, adnonishing him gen. .tly, and keeping watch upon the physicians actions with singular in- tentness.
 This woman was of marked per sonality. Her iron-gray hair was brushed back smoothly from broad. low forehead, her black eyes were we'll sunk under dark brows and flashes, but flashed indolently from time to time when she was speak ing. The small, straight, relentless mouth and aquiline nose gave a note of severity to her face. Her charm, it is likely, had existed in the con tour and coloring of that face, and in a certain easy self-reliance, or consciousness of power. Just now her face was inscrutably placid. She spoke only in tones so low as to be audible but short distance.
 Across the room girl stood looking idly, dreamily, from a easement wip- dow into the trees. She was slender, with mass of reddish, golden curls rafhoroa hoo1y fo har shoulders. The profile revealed birth and refinement, and suggested nobil- ity, high purpose and innate purity. There was a wistful tenderness about her mouth and a soft radiance in her blue-gray eyes when from time to time she turned towards the group gath cred about the sick man.
 II am at a loss, madam" the doctor was saying, ito account for his lack of improvement. There seems to be nothing organically wrong, and yet the nerve centers are totally inactive' ' He picked up several medicine bottles and examined them, testing their con- tents by smell and sight. The tall woman's eyes met his.
 'He passed restless night" she said, laying her hands upon the sick mans forehead. ''There was considerable confusion in the city, and some one just before daylight fired pistol near the house. This gave him a fearful shock"
 'There is much excitement in Rich mond over the secession movement" said Brodnar, land the police are far too few for these times. What have
 
 'I want my daughter to be present" /" said the sick man, fretfully; T want her to hear the will read before I sign it, doctor.''
 "I am here, papa" said the girl, com l ing slowly forward and standing quiet l ly near him. He looked into her face long and intently, his own softening. II would suggest" said the doctor. | rising and addressing the elder wom- 1 an, that we leave them alone for a | few moments; he seems trihe bright CT just now" She fixed her black eyes upon him steadily, and a slight smile moved the hard lines of her mouth.
 ''It would not do. Frances is excit- able, and excitement is contagious"
 But am sure, mad dam-!" "It is useless, sir. He relies upon me, and is nervous if I leave him for even g minute" Her white hand fell in rhyth- mic monotony upon the invalid's fore head. Presently he reached up impa tiently and pushed it away; but, wait ing moment, she resumed her caress l ings, and he made no further resist l ance.
 -I want my daughter to hear it read, he said, querulousiy, reyerting to z thought unspoken.
 "Oh, would not let her do that, sir, : said Brodnar. "You will not permit | that madam!"
 "She shall hear it," said the woman 'It pleases him; and he has good ob ject in it, I am sure." ts4
 A professional man who had beer writing at a side table now came for ward and read the dying mans will, { notary standing near. The latter ex changed glances with Brodnar ant looked away, a half smile upon his lips The document. after the usual recita I A. IA 0f