The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-25
CHAPTER xxIv.

The third week had nearly elapsed. and as yet no one was allowed to see l the patient
 For a time stephen was inclined to be somewhat chagrined; she had set her mind on making much of this man whom fate and his own bravery had l thrown athwart her life. She was con- | winced in her inmost heart that there could be no adequate reason, on purely medical or surgical grounds, why she should not be allowed to peep into a darkened room, or speak few words with or even to a suffering man. But in these days stephen was in some ways a changed and patient woman and she was so full of gratitude to the great and quick answer which had been given to her prayer that consequent meekness had become a part of her nature.
 Such little attentions to the wound ed man as Stephen was permitted were daily bestowed; fresh flowers of her own choosing were sent into the SICK room. As Stephen had always had taste of her own with regard 10 norl- culture, the effect was hardly soothing to the patient. He recognized ever afresh the presence of those flowers which Stephen loved. and to which all Ais own youth and young manhood had been accustomed. Tn their fragrant presence he felt at times as though Stephen herself were in the room.
 Every thought, of her disturbed him afresh, Willing as he was to sacrifice himself and his feelings in any way for her good, he could not but be con- scIous that the act of stealing away in secret which he contemplated would bring her fresh pain. She had done all in her power for an unknown man; and through him her reward would be hu- initiation and disappointment, where she might have looked for gratitude.
 And 1t would come by his hand; his hand. who in addition to all the past, owed her his very life! And yet 1t was for her good! As the other act had been!
 But to stephen all the mystery seemed to grow out of its first shad- owy importance into something real. There was coming to her a vague idea tha she would do well not to manifest any concern any anxiety. any curios- ity. Instinct was at work; she was content to trust It. and wait
 One forenoon she received by mes senger a letter which interested her much. It was dated that morning from varilands. a neighboring estate which marched with Lannoy to the south.
 "Mv dear Madam-Wiil you pardon me great liberty and allow my little eirl and me to come to see you today ?  I shah explain when we meet. When I say that we are Americans and have come seven thousand miles for the purpose, you will I am sure, under stand that it is no common interest which has brought us. and 1t will be the excuse for our eagerness. should write you more fully: but as the matter Ia eonhdentIal one I thought it would he better to speak. We shall be doubly grateful If you will have the kindness to sec us alone. I write as mother in making this appeal to your kind IiI.5 n,,s. eight years old--has the matter sn dAsnIy In her heart that'a any disap- no,ntment or undue delay would fear affect her health. We presume to, to take al e a little after F o'clock
 1T may perhaps say that my hus- hs,A nurchased some years ago this estate. We were to have come here to ] live in the carly summer but were