Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-20

"A ChtndndnV' Jim and uttered the
exclamation.
sending a message to her or following
the doctor up for information. Happ.
ly she was IA a fair way of canvales
cence. The shock to her system had
been very great, but. the symptoms of
fever had abated, and now the man Of
medicine declared that all she needed
was rest With that end In view he
had requested her to keep In bed for
that day, and also with the further
view, 1 thought, OF battling the curios-
~ of the passengers. However. Just
as we were creeping up to an anchor.
age he came to me and said that II |
would wait until the people had gone
ashore Miss Hurst would like 10 see me
for minute or two. Naturally her
wish was a command, and. Informing
my uncle Of the circumstance, we
bided our time.
Her mother. with outstretched hand
and white, pathetic face, met me AZ
the door OF the cabin.
Mr.. Gray" she said, and the false
name struck me as contemplate under
such conditions, ~ thank you with all
my heart My daughter is all the
world to me, and you have brought her
back from the grave. God bless your
She drew me to her and kissed me on
the forehead, and l was seized with a
great longing to throw my arms about
her and kiss her as l would have kiss.
ed my own mother. But 1 drew back.
mumbling stupidity that 1t was nothing.
that she was to think 1t nothing I had
done, that / was glad had been of
service-a mixture the ldiocy of which
appealed to me even In the midst of
my embarrassment, for embarrassed |
was, and deeply, for over the mothers
shoulder two great gray eyes set In
sweet, pale face were watching me
from the top berth. People had spo
Ken or my courage In jumping into the
sea- Wen, 1t may have seemed a bold
thing to do, but certainly hadn't the
courage to face the wide, inuuirinc
eyes of this delicate girl.
MT. Gray" she said, at hope Won do
not think me unkind or remiss. l want
ed to send for you before, but | am
supposed to be under the doctors or
ders, though why l can't imagine. Be-
heve me, | am perfectly well, but be
orders rest, and my mother wishes IL.
Let me thank you now"
She held out her wee white hand
which l pressed with nervous CLASH
and looked into her face, right into
her eyes, and knew that this pale girl
held my destiny in her hands.
Don't thank me-" mumbled
scarcely knowing what was saying.
Don't say anything more about It. II
Is enough for me to know that | have
been of service to you"
And 1t is enough for me to know"
she repeated slowly, a world of mean
ing In her look and tone, "that you
have saved my life"
II am glad" said.
And |, she answered In a low voice
looked her straight In the eyes. and
she returned the look frankly, without
hinching, and / believe we each stroye
to read the deeper thoughts that law
behind. To me she seemed n LIVING
piece OF pale perfection, for whom |
would have leaped into 80 raging seas
or the deadly maelstrom itself.
The doctor appearing at that moment
and cautioning me not to excite his
patient we talked but little while
longer, and as shook hands with her
she said. 81 suppose you are going
ashorep'
at is very probable"
You will be carefully" There was al
most a tone of entreaty In her voice.
81 promise you"
They were only little common words.
Dut they were full of meaning. knew
now that there was some one who took
more than passing interest In me.
Wen, nothing OF any moment hap
pened at Colombo, and the next day
when we were well at sea once more