The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-18
BY Ethel Watis.aIumford Grant
Author Of ''Dupes, "Whi,ewash," Etc.
CHAPTER XIII.

dow shade. The light illumined the
face on the pillow. She looked like
a tortured child, infinitely pathetic
and innocent.
HAS she been restless?" he asked.
as he bent over her.
The nurse nodded "Yes, some
what. She has persistent delusions.
The trouble seems to have taken
deep root in her mind. But the
wound is in good condition"
Nellie Gaynor stirred uneasily.
There was a painful attempt to turn
the wounded neck. At the sound of
Wendham's voice she half opened
her eyes. She spoke thickly and
with effort, trying to raise her hand
to the bandages about her throat.
'Oh, my dear, my dear! you have
found 1t out. I'd rather have died"
In spite of his self-control the doc
tor flushed crimson, hardly daring
to raise his eyes to the calm face Of
the nurse.
"She has been repeating some
thing of that sort at intervals" the
woman said, as she smoothed the
pillow. Here's the chart" The
matter-of-lact tone and the sys-
tematic and familiar paper helped
him to regain his mental poise.
HIN! Bad temperature. We
have our work laid out for us. Get
a drop or two of this down her
throat, If you can. The swelling
will soon prevent her swallowing or
speaking, poor woman. Now go lie
down for while, Miss Tredlay
You'll have to be up all night"
THANK you, doctor" she said,
and left the room.
AS the door closed Wendham took
hold Of Nellie's slender fingers,
gently caressing them. She turned
toward him with p movement so
slight that it hardl'' disturbed the
folds of her pillow yet it suggested
immeasurable relief and confidence.
His soothing touch sought her heat
ed brow, while he repeated over and
over such assurances as mother
gives her child frightened by the
imaginary terrors Of the night
Something of the peace and reliance
that the comforted child knows in
that grooming protection descended
not only upon her, but upon his own
troubled soul.
The hours wore on. Outside the
storm ragged, venting its fury upon
wooded hills and open plain with a
passion of destruction. Darkness,
MI n 1-CI n H-tn nrtI
came early. BY four o'clock the room
was dark. Wendham lighted the
green-shaded lamp, and drew the
curtains at the window.
Nellie was sleeping gently, appar-
emily without pain; her pulse beating
regularly. Only the swollen lips
and fiuttering eyelids gave sign that
fever still held sway. A gentle
knock announced Adele. She entered,
her eyes fixed upon his face with
agonized questioning.
"She is doing very well indeed"
he said. 1--WE have every hope, we
must" He broke off abruptly.
They stood, facing each other. 1t
came again-a knock, light, but in
it mean? There! this time rapid, yet
discreetly softened as by one solicit
ing attention and secrecy.
A thrill of superstitious fear smote
at his heart. But the next instant
he had drawn back the curtains,
raised the shade, and was looking
out into the night.
hnf ia
voice close beside him.
All was still for a moment. He
strained his sight, shading his face
with his hands the better to pene-
trate the shadows without. For
moment the wind lulled to a sigh,
but the next a sharp squall tore
screaming by. A line like a whip
pane-a streamer of ivy torn from
its hold, beating with subdued insist
ence.
THE vines" he said in quiet ex-
planation to the girl beside him. His
own words aroused him. "The
vines!" And what of-might not
this tempest relentlessly reveal
be lost. Stay here, Adele" he Or
dered. Miss Tredlay will be back
presently. l sent her to rest. Mrs.
Gaynor has been asking about her
little pillow-no-I'm going up. I'll
get 1t and send it down by one Of the
maids"
Adele settled herself near the bed.
and Wendham hurried from the
room. He paused before Mrs. Gay
nor's door in the guest wing. The
corridor was empty. Not a sound
save the bowling of the wind and
the thrash of rain. Quickly opening
the door. he found himself in the de-
serted room. The window showed
opposite as pale square. He crossed
hastily and raised the sash. In
stantly the warning elements enter
ed, the curtains bellied inward. The
iutter OF flying papers and the click