The Washington times., 1902-07-13

10 my wonder l heard SOtt SOD, lnSH
another. then another. l could bear it
no longer and quietly raising my arm
put my hand on her head.
"raborah!"
sLs was half way across the room in
an instant. looking at me in terror. with
her hands clasped at her breast and
tears in her eyes.
Are you awake" she asked in a
whisper.
Yes, Deborah" said l, 'and I am
very tired. VIII you not come and Gx
my pillow for me-"
She was by me in an instant. rearrang
ing something that was already right,
murmuring again and again as she did
so. My dear, my dear. my DEAR" as
she pushed back the hair from my fore
head, Strengthened the counterpane and
brought me something TO drink-still
murmuring My dear. my dear" in few
erish haste. silently. for all the world
like a quiet worried angel.
Deborah
You must not talk, you must not say
a word" she cried out under her breath
putting her hand gently over my mouth.
And suddenly she knelt again by the
bedside and laid her head close to mine
her face buried in the pillow, and
could hear her still murmuring, My
dear. my dear, I'm so sorry. so sorry,
so sorry"
A sudden fear seized me, and pushed
myself instinctively away from her and
tried to speak. Some sound made her
look up and she cried out In frightened
tone:
What is it?''
What is the matter with me? Is
1t"
mo, no, Z was the brain fever. DR..
Low says t was a miracle you had not
the smallpox. Aye, dear" she went on.
seeing my face, "let us both thank God. :"
And a cool hand was laid on my fore
head. l kept still a moment, my eyes
closed for very weakness, and then, with
some struggle. l got my arms up to ny
head and took her hand and put it to my
lips. She was on her feet again, all
changed in moment, and stood by me
looking away and saying not word.
She might have drawn her hand away.
for l had not the strength to hold it.
but there it lay. trembling like herself.
much as little tame bird might lie an
instant in your hand half for comfort
staying, half for fear ready to fly. So I
stroked it. and laid it to my hot cheek,
and kissed it again, and looked up at her
standing over me.
Dear. will you forgive me?''
For answer she started little. the
color flying over her face: and then she
stopped and lightly kissed me and flew
out of the room.
The thought OF losing her was too
much for me and yelled out savage
cry that brought her back in terror, say
ing that would die If lay not still.
Then stay here." said hoarsely. IF
Though God knows / could not have sat
up to save my life. Come close TO me
and-and talk" Something In my face
must have drawn her, for she came and
lay upon the counterpane, and lifting my
head put IT upon her arm. And so she
talked. her fair head close TO mine. whis-
pered quietly such words as / could no
more put to paper, even II could, thnn
would tell the thoughts OF my inmost
soul to anyone but God. No one can
be held to speak of this one hour of mis-
life. 1t is his for all time and only his,
his to think on in after years, in times
of stress and trouble, to dream on year
by year! And it shall go out TO no other,
him alone.
So thus l lay. closing my eyes from
weakness and comfort, yet must quick
ly open them again. because could look
at her close by me and feared she would
again be gone. And by and by some
thing in her words set my head a-going.
and looking at her asked, scarcely by
means of words. how l came there
81 did not know, dear! We thought
you gone. dared not ask. No one gave
me a hint, till one day came a messen-
ger to me from my brother In his camp,
asking II you were dead and saying
where and how they left you" And for
a space she could not go on; till, look-
ing again, saw far-off light in the
depths OF her eyes. different from any
thing had yet read there. ! have said
# a dozen times here, yet must | say
II again: Never have looked into
such eyes, so different with every flying
mood. so much tell-tale OF her
thoughts.
And then caught one evening at
dinner hint that finally let to my hear
ing from his own lips OF Captain Ather-
ton's-of your-your-dear, Ny dear-of
that morning at Corlear's Hook" Again
she lay STILL Again l opened my eyes
and she went on: He had such q
strong, manly respect. such a chivalrous
OF you that came TO like
him and trust him. and told him of Rob
ert's letter. and begged him TO learn
something OF you. And that day he be-
gan going through every prison ship.
every place where men were confined. on
the plea OF selecting those who had
smallpox. And each night he would come
to me with a sorrow.ul shake OF his
head, but hopeful words and never
fear or complaint OF the danger ne ran.