The Washington times., 1902-07-13
CHAPTER XIII.
(Continued.)

lay back in wonder, and though weak
I felt strong, though i'll l felt well.
cannot tell how it was, but settled all
the muscles of my body down upon the
soft bed and took as long breath as
my bandages would allow. So / lay l
know not how long, and the door opened
quickly but silently and in came the
sharp face of DIR. Low, followed by the
baroness. Silently they came on. 81
lentIy he drew up a chair and sat TAX
ing my hand. while she stood behind him
looking over his shoulder.
so. young man." said Low, cheerily.
You're looking round bit. So! So!"
he went on. looking at his watch. 80.
open your mouth" l did. stick out
your tongue. So, not SO bad! Now drink
that" and down went something, ] all
the while looking at him in wonder.
Apparently the baroness misunderstood
my look. for she said hastily. but softly:
do not fear the doctor! He will not
betray you. He is only here to cure
you"
AT that, Low, sitting thus with his
back to her and looking at me. closed one
eye slowly without the changing of an
other muscle of his face and as slowly
opened it again. and / could have laugh
ed aloud. but l asked:
who is Tante?" I do rot know what
/ thought. l could not let myself be-
lieve or hope anything. but l must ask
and know and get 1t over with. The
40 r.l
a tone that meant nothing:
''oh. she's an old hag we hired here to
nurse you
Il think you lie. DOCTOR" said weak
ly, and looked at the baroness. She nod
ded brightly, and made an involuntary
movement.
Here, here!" cried Low. Perhaps
! do lie. but do you lie still and go
promptly TO sleep"
u cannot"
Yes, you can, Why, man, you've got
one foot and three quarters of the other
in the grave still. Off you go," And
he got up and took the baroness by the
arm and walked out Of the room closing
the door
Sleep. How could l sleep? Who
was she? Might It be? Six weeks.
What was the matter with me?
And so 1 lay and thought and thought.
and then-the door slowly opened.
looked and saw head. face, and
bit OF white gown.
1t was she. And l stretched out my
sickly hand to her and made some silly
gurgiing sound and-she was gone in
stantly and the door again shut.
And then and there. I. Merton Balfort,
lay over on my back and looked UP at
the canopy Of the bed above me-and
thanked God a. some length And so
] slept long, and walked again stronger
and fresher by much than before, and rs
/ moved in my bed there came the set
ting aside OF the curtains again, the
rustic OF dress. and there she stood
looking at me, for an instant. But as
moved she was gone, and began to lose
nv temper and ask myself what was the
matter, and, as sick man will, com
plained of my fate.
Then I took counsel with myself. and
turning TO one side, so that | could see
the door, l thrust one arm under the
pillow, put my head down so that
covered one eye but left the other free,
and then. with some labor. be it az
knowledged, placed the other arm over
my face. with but a small opening left
for the one eye to watch the door. Then
Law quiet, as II again asleep.
It was long time, and began to lose
my small stock of nerve, when the door
again slid open a bit and her head ap-
peared cautiously. Seeing me thus
asleep, she came slowly on tiptoe with
q look in her face that lives with me al
ways. and the quiet rustic OF her gown. |
And so coming near, she knelt down by
the Ded, the proud white neck bent for
wara md her brown head resting in her !