Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-06
THURSTOll,
Author Of 1.-THE Masquerader," Etc.

still fingered In her eyes
"of course" she said. Yes. of course.
Is there anything / can DOR
Gallagher glanced at her again.
We'll" he said, quietly, perhaps you
will call the nurse for me? There's no real
need for her. but II is just as well we
should have her on the spot"
Again Clodagh's eyes darkened with ap-
prehension. but she made no remark. Sig
mailing to Nance to follow her. she left the
room.
AS the two girls disappeared. Gallagher
bent again over Asshlin. making another
rapid examination: then once more he
glanced up at Mibanke.
He may not last the night" he said be-
low his breath. "Molyneaux expected that
1t wouldn't be long business, but we didn't
look for the change SO soon as this
Milbanke did not alter his position
You'll stay on. OF course" he said. me-
yes. oh. yes. Ill stay on"
As he said the last word Clodagh reap-
THE nurse will be here In a minute"
she said. in steady voice.
Inc unrelaxed, monotonous vigil lasted
until O'clock; then. as AsshIin showed a
disposition to rally. the doctor asserted his
authority and dismissed Mrs Asshlin,
Nance and Milbanke for a much-needed
room.
Though he would not have admitted 1t. the
command came as boon to Milbanke. His
long and arduous journey, coupled with the
Ing, had eliminated in intense WEAKNESS;
and when Gallagher's order came It would
have been superhuman effort to offer any
protest.
Reaching his room. he took of his boots.
and. partially undressing, threw himself
upon his bed
How many hours he slept the deep sleep
OF utter exhaustion he did not know. His
first effort at awaking consciousness was a
thrill of nervous fright that made him sit
up In bed, aware with a sudden shock that
door and calling him by name in low. agi-
ia ted tones.
Mr.. Milbanke! Mr. Milbanke! Wake.
please! Quick! Mr.. Milbanker'
He stared into the darkness for an in
slant in dazed apprehension; then he slid
out of bed. fumbing blindly for his dress
ing gown.
Coming" he called. Coming
Having found the garment he crossed the
room stumblingly, thrusting his arms into
the sleeves he went
Opening the door, he realized the situa-
ton with sick sinking of the heart Clo-
dagh stood in the corridor with a blanched
face, holding candle in her shaking hand.
"Oh. come. please!' she exclaimed. Come
quckr'
Without a word he stepped forward, and
the two hurried down the passage.
In the sick room the fire glowing and
additional candles had been lighted For
second Mflbanke paused at the door; then
as his eyes grew accustomed to the access
Of light, the scene became clear to him. On
the bed lay Asshln. his head partly propped
up by pillows. his eyes wide. his breath
coming in slow. difficult gasps; Gallagher
was moving about the room with more
quickness and dizziness than the English
man could have believed possible; Mrs.
Asshlin. unnerved. and yet fascinated.
leaned upon the end Of the bed; while
Nance-crying silently-followed the nurse
to and fro In dazed, MISUNDERSTANDING
| fear; and Hannah. the household factotum,
crouched behind the door. weeping and
murmuring inarticulate prayers.
The picture turned Mllbanke cold. With
| an instructive gesture he paused with the
| intention OF shielding 1t from Clodaghs
sight. But at the very moment that he
turned toward her a CONFUSION shook the
dying man. He suddenly lifted himself In
bed. his eyes staring wildly; then Gall
lagher rushed forward, a hoarse sound es-
capped him, his head fell forward and his
body collapsed In the doctors arms.
There was a breathless, appalled, silence
silence that seemed to extend over years.
At last Gallagher looked up.
It's all over" he said In a hushed
| voice.
For a minute no one spoke, no one moved.
| 1t seemed as If the whole room petri-
! fed Then Gallagher quietly laid the body
| back upon the pillows, and, as though the
| action broke the SPELL Clodagh gave a sud-
| oen sharp cry and ran forward to the bed.
Go be continued tomorrow