Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-02-07
CHAPTER XIII.

Her mother had come back from Craig
lands deeply moved and agitated; and the
girls great, sorrowful eyes had asked the
question her frozen lips could not frame.
Constance Fraser had drawn the slen-
der form to her arms without a word at
first Words, indeed, were not easy. 1t
was a strange thing that had happened :;
her brain reeled every now and then as
it all came back to her. Constance Fra
ser kissed the sweet, quivering lips.
Jack wants you; he wants you to
stay with him always. Do you under
stand me. my darling?"
He wants me to nurse him?" Au-
drey said simply. her every limb CULVER
ing with eagerness to be gone.
ITO nurse comfort and love him -
The mothers hand stroked back the soft
locks. audrey. he has asked me to give
you to him. as his wife"
A flood of color burned on each pale
cheek, and then the girl paled ashen
white again.
AS his wife," she repeated, slowly :;
and then. more quickly, Does he want
me now"
"As soon as every arrangement can be
made, my own dearest. Does this fright
en- you, Audrey?"
mo" she said, almost inaudibly "If
he wishes it, that is right. l am glad ~
Then, catching suddenly at the two slen-
der hands held out to her, Mother, can
l see him soon?"
You shall go to him tomorrow. my
darling. 1t will not do to excite him too
much. The marriage ceremony will take
place tomorrow, we hope You. too. must
rest and take care of yourself, my lily
flower. my darling"
Audrey sat down as in a stupor. She
did not half realize what was going to
happen; she only knew that in few
short hours she would see him again, her
hero, her beloved; that was joy enough
to daze her; she could not grasp the full
ness of it all at once.
1t was his hand that clasped hers,
and yet how changed. Audrey could not
see the pale, weak, clear face for the
mist of tears that rose before her eyes.
The girl suffered a great shock at sight
of him she loved Lying PROSTATE on his
pillow, barely able to speak or to smile
The duchess had kissed Audrey tenderly.
"She is lovely! Perfectly beautiful ~
she had said to Constance Fraser mo
wonder my poor boy loves her so deep
ly."
Mr.. Thorngate read the service, and
Mrs. Thorngate stood with the others
round the bed.
Dr. Sentance was close at hand; he
watched his patient narrowly. Certainly
it almost looked as if the small flicker
of life must suddenly go out. The pulse
was very weak, the hearts action uneven.
| yet the doctor knew that if human will
would carry a much-desired point, Lord
John Glendurwood would, with the latest
breath, speak the words that made Au-
drey his wife.
In whispers. weak in voice, strong in
| purpose, John Glendurwood spoke his
| marriage VOWS.
| Audrey repeated the words she was bid
to utter in dim, mechanical fashion.
| She woke for an instant as her lovers
| feeble hand tried to push the ring over
the little finger, but after that she was
conscious of nothing save that the face
before her grew paler and paler, his
hands weaker in their hold. As the rector
pronounced the benediction, the duchess
| gave a cry.
'He is gone. He i. lead! Ny Jack
My boy!"
The brisk, kind-hearted little doctor
read the conditions in moment.
I'VE must not have you fainting, too
Lady john" he said, sharply Come
hold the bottle to your husbands nose
and pass your hand slowly across his
| hro, I 70 hol,,
A great deal depends on you now. II
is passing. Complete and utter exhaus-
ton. Now, Lady John, l want you to
| kneel down, so that your husband can see
you the first thing he opens his eyes"
Audrey obeyed him instantly. The
faintest flicker of life was visible in the
drawn, white face.
Bend down and kiss him." command.
ed DIR. Sentance.
A flush spread over the girls beautiful
| face. She did not hesitate: stopping
she pressed her fresh sweet lips to those
dry, parched ones. A low cry escaped
the sick man.
Audrey, it's you-no dream-my
own darling"
| DR.. Sentance nodded his head again
| anu theh NC itieeu Auuiey iioHi hei
knees.
Now, Lady john" he said, authori-
tatively, your duty is not nearly ended
| you are to sit here and watch your hus-
band. Don't let him speak, only now
and then moisten his lips with little
of this liquid. Let him see you ahd
know you are here. You will be the best
doctor for him. after ALL"
So saying, DIR. Sentance moved out OF
the room, and beckoned Mrs. Thorngate
to follow him.
"Well?" she asked, breathlessly, once
outside.
Il do not say for certain, but my be-
lief is he will live" was the doctors
reply.