Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-12
CHAPTER XXV-Continued.


While he had Eva's wealth behind him.
these debts were a mere nothing. But,
without it. bankruptcy and ruin stared
him in the fact.
With all his heart he hoped that she
would die: and he went up to her room
time after time to learn the news of hel
"a prey to positively sickening anxiety
He questioned the doctor and heard OF
the crisis which had come and passed
that her life was in the balance, tina
hope of her recovery alternated with
fears for the worst. Later in the even
ing, the doctor announced that the hope
was growing stronger-she was gaining
a little strength.
Can see her DOCTOR" he asked.
Not yet, my lord. She is we'll enough
for me to leave her for while. / will
let you know when return"
He came back at 10 o'clock. and as he
was leaving he carried a much more
cheering report.
II think she will live he said.
THANK heaven exclaimed Broadstone
Can I see herr l am almost dead witt
this suspense
Better tomorrow. l shall be here early
in the morning.
Who is nursing herr"
Miss Hutchinson: but she is nearly
worn out Tomorrow l will send another
nurse.
About midnight Broadstone went to the
room again and Sadie came out to him.
What is the news" he asked, with
ba ted breath.
Good, 1 am glad to say. She is sleep
ing calmly.
THANK heaven" he said. as he hat
said before.
But Sadie was not the doctor, and knew
him well enough to detect the false note
in his voice.
She must have perfect rest of course y
You are weary with watching" he
said kindly.
Yes. l have even slept in my chair
Let me relieve you. l would do any.
thing. But this suspense is more than .
can bear"
You are very kind. but I am not toe
weary to watch tonight answered Sadie
and such watch is more a woman's
work If she continues as she is shall
be able to sleep little. and tomorrow We
shall have q nurse One was to have
come tonight. but she disappointed U.s."
What friend you are to her.. he
said but the lip-smile which accompanied
the words did not hide from Sadie the
the indecision as TO what step to take
next. You can feel for me. / am sure ,
he added, after pause
Il can quite understand your lordshi]
must he suffering acutely'
II wish YOU would let me watch FOL
even little while IL want to feel
am doing ometilng."
Sadie fell back on the Doctors orders
Il promised the doctor l would not leave
the bedside tonight. and without his per
mission I dare not do such a thing
Her tone was very firm.
Il can't see the necessity l have &
right to be there He spoke sharply
and frrtabIv
I'm life-and-death struggle. Lore
Broadstone, there are no rights except
those which the doctor sanctions
There was another pause. Can I see
herr"
You can look at her from here, but moi
enter the room. please: she might wake
suddenly and no one can tell what might
happen them
She opened the door slightly and held
1t. barring his way.
He looked at the bed long and eagerly
Sadie watching him closely, seeking to
read the expressions which crossed the
face and showed in the telltale eyes Full
of evil intent, they seemed to her, limit eG
only by lack Of opportunity. How still
she IS? he whispered.
"She hangs between life and death
even a slight noise might do infinite
HARM
rs that your cl1air?' he asked. noddins
toward a tall-backed armchair by the
side of the bed.
Yes; You see I can easily sleep in thai :
Every sentence he spoke fired a train OF
suspicion In her mind. and now from this
simple question she seemed to guess the
purpose forming in his mind.
Il hope you won't sleep too Soundly
If she awoke and wanted you 1t might b.
serious
II am very weary. but a nurses sleer
is not like another's. There IS a sort OF
hafv rT
patient I think. The slightest move
ment Of my patient wakes me- although
| might sleep through other sounds IL
the ROOM
He turned and locked at her closely
Il think l can understand that. But b.
careful-her life rests upon you tonight
I hope You lock this door,"
'fes-this one" answered Sadie. les
any one should enter by mistake. But
not that OF my own room beyond.
must close the door and so back to hel
now. please"
Pray heaven she will continue to sleep
| shall not trouble you again tonight. Miss
Hutchinson. Goodnight" He turned
away as he spoke, and appeared to catcf
his foot. with the result that he stumbled
and fell heavily against the door.
But Sadie VS. not unprepared. She
held the door firmly and prevented it fly
ing open with noise which might have
had disastrous results for the patient.
My lord. be careful; it might have
killed her she said in alarm and
closing the door, shut him out in the cor
ridor.
She knew the meaning Of that "acci-
dental" stumble. and the object of those
apparently considerate questions about
the chair in which she watched and the
need for locking the door
She stood for some moments in anxious
thought. her hand pressed to her fore
IL
the night might have in store. Then she
made her decision.
Going to the bedside, she first assured
herself that Eva had not been disturbed
and then set TO work upon i pan sug-
sested by Lord Broadstone's visit.