The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-14
(copyrleht, 1901, by Frank A. Mu
CHAPTER xxIV.
Case of "None But the Brave.

A Case of "None But the 6faNe.
 Iris wonderful what a day of sleep will do to a man. When I awake and found Iow-'t was high noon next day-ready to take off my bandages and dress my wound. I would for awhile sit up, and did so. And after he had strapped me up again the baroness came in with my breakfast, and. noting something in my face, apologised for herself as a nurse, saying that my real nurse was out for an airing with Captain Atherton-which, to tell good truth, but irritated me-and that shortly she would return l told her of my gratitude for her kindness-more than kindness-to me, and she would have it that t was not for me at all, but only on behalf of Mistress Debby that was there.
 The dear girl began to grow i'll after the night you disappeared" said she. Something, knew not what, was gnaw- ing at her heart. And when her brothers letter came she was nearly frantic with grief, and came then and told me much that had guessed before. Then came Captain Atherton to her aid-and you owe much to him. We are not all," she added, smiling sadly. i've are not all tyrants and villains, you see"
 You are more than kind friends said seriously. You and the captain are risking your lives to help an enemy"
 She laughed again.
 '.'T was but to save a young chits life" said she. "Of course we cared naught for you"
 You are good and kind, dear iady, be- yond comprehension" answered, and she gave me her hand frankly. And your little daughters brought me back to the world in way that shall never for get"
 They are nearly as bad as Debby," said she with the pleasure showing in her face that always came there when she spoke of her children. We could do naught with Debby. Day by day she sat here by you and watched and listened to your dreadful rawlings, and heard you crying out at her cousin, and then calling on her name, telling her in a vibrant voice"-and she smiled, though she seemed still startled at the remembrance of it-"the particular place she held in your affections, which men usually whisper, I hear in the silence of solitude"
 Did I do so?" I asked.
 For twenty-four hours in the day, week after week, and have seen her sit- ting here looking at you as if her heart would break, wringing her hand and beg ging Dr. Low to make you hear her and understand"
 What can I ever do for her to repay half, or for you either? I wonder that she kept her health?'
 "Once we tried to get her away" she continued. And by Dr. Lows orders she went to her room. But in the night your cries nearly drove her mad, and though the doctor saidt would under mine her health, I went to her, and she begged me on her knees to let her go into you, and-and-" smiling brightly, "and she asked me how would feel if the bar on were i'll and I shut in another room away from himi That was a shrewd lit tie argument
 The tears stood in her eyes and in mine, too. What had the girl not done for me, with never word of explanation from me to set her mind at rest?
 Where is she?' I asked a little husk- fly. "Why does she not come to mel"
 With a taught the baroness got up and saying that we were apparently a pair, went in search of her. But she did not come and the day waned. The bright afternoon faded to sundown, and still she did not come Some one brought in lamps and at last the baroness appeared with an amused, yet puzzled look in her face.
 ''Is she not coming to say good night to me?' l asked.
 "I do not quite understand her. said she Poor girl, she's tired and worried" !"
 What is it?" I asked again. 'Is there something wrong?"
 She smiled again.
 T think she is a little afraid" said the baroness. "I-'
 Afraid? Afraid of what?" I asked.
 Well. I scarcely know" she answered again. e." and then, leaning over to me, Shall I tell you a dreadful secret about women?"