Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-02-17
CHAPTER X.
I'LL. LnN-I,I, u Il ArEI,

THE CONFERENCE.
1t was two weeks after the fire and
le accident to Stuart Eric was sit
8ng 10y the bed for Stuart was still
n Eric's cottage. His accident had
been so serious that there had been
~ thought of his removal. During
he anxious days and nights Eric had
hardly left Stuart's side. Andrew had
begged to be allowed to watch, but
Eric had insisted upon his prior right
nd had refused to give way to any
ne else.
There was another watcher who
horc than Andrew regarded Eric jeal-
usly. and that was woman who stole
nto the cottage often with the doctors
omng and remained, dry eyed and
bale with the hearts hunger of love
airing out of great eyes that burned
yer Stuart as if by very force of COM
cling affection they would rouse him
lto knowledge and life again. Rhena
i'll not try to hide the feeling she now
ad. The doctor came in quietly that
ay while Eric was sitting asleep at
he side of Stuart, exhausted 10y his
reat vigil. and found BhCna on her
nces praying. The intensity of her
csre for Stuart's life broke out into
II audible petition.
go Lord, my God. save him! What
as he done to die? oh, how can l
by, Thy will be doneT l never loved
i'm before. Spare him, God of all
Oodness. He is so needed in thy
orld! Surely there are others who
ould be less God, what am | say
lS? But he is my lover! And he does
of know that | love him.
"Bcg pardon" interrupted the doctor,
but you're mistaken about that. He
novs it perfectly well. Just tell him
bur or five times more if you think it
necessary"
Rhena turned her head toward Stu
IT. He lay there with his eyes open
pr the first time in days, really con-
ious and with a smile on his face
hich was heaven to her. She simply
lrned on her knees and bowed her
cad over Stuarts hand and put her
ps to it, and then, to the doctors sur
Use. she fell over and tainted.
cit beats all creation what these wo-
Il en- can spring in the way of sur
Uses Oh g manw said the doctor as he
cked Rhena up and carried her over
n couch at the other end of the
bonn.
Eric had started out of his doze, and
uart had shut his eyes again, lapsng
to his former stupor, but still with a
nile on his lips. But if any lass has
right to faint this one has. Are you
| ping to tumble off again, ma'am? he
sked as Rhena began to come to-.
You can if you want to. DO you want
cry? Come, that's a good girl! Cry
little. It'll do us all good. Want a
andkerchef? Here's mine"
Rhena sat up suddenly and seized
hxon's hand. "Oh. doctor, he will get
ell, won't he? He is better? There
hope? He knew me for a moment.
on do believe my prayer will be an
veredY
Rhena was crying softly. She was
roken and nervous with the great
rain of the last two weeks.
1--WE heard worse prayers get at.
nded to-" replied the doctor shortly.
II But do you think-oh, doctor, it is
,ath to me to think of-tell me, what
you fear? Is he-will he live"
The doctor shut his lips tight. Rhena
atched him, with her hands clncheC
rd over his. She did not know it
lt her slim fingers hurt even the doc
RS rugged, knotty fists. Finally ht
severed her IL think, yes, | an
lite sure, now that he knows tha
pu care for him a little, there is &
citing chance"
'Care for him a littler' replied Rhe
b, with q smile that melted the doc
r completely. Doctor, were yo
or in love?
mo" replied the doctor. "but if
as I'd have to put up still anothe
nd stand in the square. one apiec
ouldn't be too much for three sue
OILS rs you and Stuart and me-"
''Whats that nonsense he's talking?
ked Eric. coming over to the end O
@ room where they were.
bit was not nonsense" said Rhene
ith more color in her face than
d seen since the day Stuart had frs
oxen to her. She went over to tn
le Of Stuart and sat down ther
atching him. She had a great hop
w. The doctor also told the trutl
nd indeed, he afterward said, nothin
love brought Stuart out alive.
Ive heard that people who were
re could live on nothing" the dOctC
id, ''but l do believe if Stuart hadn
me TO himself long enough that da
hear that little prayer I'd have la
10 funerals on my hands pretty Quic
ell. never understood these W
On. There she was one minute
Inp as q dead fish, and the next 81
as as lively as a Salvation Arm
NJ mbourine. If l could get this artic
ey call love fixed up in a prescriptl(
d deal it out in severe cases, L
We it would do more good than 6
microbe killers on earth"