The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-15

send for me yourself?"
'You are here, Luella. That is all ]
want"
he spoke with great effort. He was
couScious of weakness that made him
cling to any strong nature like drown
ing man. His whole interview with
Luella must be interpreted in the light
of that weakness His mind was feel,
Ing vaguely for relief from a dark,
hopeless falling down into some un-
reachable place where Luella could not
hOme. He had MOI strength even to re-
turn the clasp Of her cold fingers, and
she was terrified as she saw his help
seBness and thought he might pass
away even during the brief time she
felt she ought to be there with him.
Promise me, Luella, that you will
WILDE my wife. Let us give ourselves
20 the cause Of childhood suffering-in
these these-awful places
'Oh, promise; yes. yes. John! Dear.
will come here and live anywhere
anywhere-if you will not de
She chung to his hand. and he smiled.
Twill you live with me here, Luella-
here in Hope House.
"Yesi Yes! For l do love you; l do
love you, john she cried. sobbing,
and he lay so still, so exhausted with
his effort, that she rose at once and, 60
ing to the door, called for Miss An
drews and Ford to come, thinking he
had fallen into the sleep that knows
no waking But when they came they
saw a smile on his face and look of
peace there that was more hopeful,
Ford said, than anything yet recorded.
Even as they all three stood by him
he opened his eyes and whispered:
"Will you kiss me, Luella? / am
happy
She leaned over and kissed his lips,
and there was a look on her face
which neither Miss Andrews nor Ford
understood until after events made it
clear.
She went back into the library and
sat there for some time, dreading to
have news brought her that he had
sunk into death. But Ford came in
after awhile and said he was asleep,
and, while at the furthest degree Of
mental and heart exhaustion, there was
a fighting chance.
So Luella went home and the next
few weeks she passed in a suspense Of
feeling that left with her an expert
ence impossible to describe. Every day
she either went to Hope House or heard
from there. When she went herself, she
did not ask to see him. The delirium of
brain fever was on him, and he knew
no one, not even Ford. Luella shrank
from going into the room. Once she
looked in through the open door. Then
she passed along back into the library,
and tears ran down her face as she
went and sat down near the large win
dow overlooking the scene of the fire.
Miss Andrews came in and found her
looking out at the place Most Of the
rubbish had been removed, and half a
dozen saloons had gone up on as many
corners. Tommy Randalps double
decker was unfinished, and it's incom-
plete condition added to the general
dreary hideousness of the prospect
Luella shuddered at 1t ALL
as there any prospect of getting this
property for your proposed park" she
asked as Miss Andrews came over by
the window.
Eve do not know yet. You have
heard the news of Randalrs conviction
in the court of special pleas? Mr..
Chambers succeeded in furnishing
proof of conspiracy, and it looks very
much as if Randalrs day was over
The election next week will decide his
fate. 1t looks now as if the present ad-
ninistration would be defeated, and the
Reform party elect a full ticket. In
that case the boss will have to go. He
has already disposed of several lots
around the double. decker, and it looks
very much as if he was getting ready
to leave the city if the election goes
against him. 1t all turns on that is
sue
Luella looked YEARLY out of the Win
dow Then she turned to Miss An
drews.
when did the doctor say the-the-
crisis for MIR. Gordon would be
reachedT
In about a week." Miss Andrews an
swered gently. Her whole face and
manner betrayed the nervous strain
under which she had been living. Luz
ella, who had come to know her as
once was not possible, admired and
wondered whenever this remarkable
woman was near her.
'Will the fever leave him any
81 think not. OF course he will be
very weak for long time, but he will
have hope to sustain him and-and
your promise" Miss Andrews added.
with an effort: Forgive me, Miss
Marsh. l overheard your promise to
him. 1t probably saved his life"
do you think it didY" Luella asked
family. She shuddered again and
turned her eyes out of the window and
was silent long time. Miss Andrews
possessed the quality Of keeping still
and did not return to say anything
more. After awhile Luella said, Let
us pray God that all may be well with
him when the crisis comes"
Eyes, please Cod" Miss Andrews
whispered. Then she went out Of the
library, and shortly after Luella went
home.
When she came into the house, she
found Mrs Penrose waiting to see her.
How Is Mr.. GordonY Mrs. Penrose
asked the moment Luella stepped into
the drawing room.
Luella told her.
"Then he is not out OF dangerT'
"No. The crisis will come next