The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-01-14

CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.)

VILE seemed sinking rapidly. the doc
tor remained all night. Hope sat by
the bedside. Haggard. dry-eyed, some
times the sufferered uttered the name
of her offending son, sometimes she
murmured inarticulately. The elev-
enth day dawned gray and overcast.
Hitherto the weather had been fine,
and warm enough to make 1t difficult
to keep the sick-room tolerably cool.
In after-years, the simmer Of moon
light on the sea. and the sweet sooth-
ing rhythm of the soft upward rush
and backward sweep of wavelets on a
pebbly beach, always brought the sick
room and the terrible anxiety Of those
days wildly before Hopes mind. A
cooler wind now blew gently, and
Hope, who had snatched half an hours
rest, came soon after dawn to resume
her watch. She was startled. Had
the proud, hard, disappointed woman
passed away. She lay so still, with
something of that rapture of repose"
which only death can bring. She look
eu DIT Tie OlSISl--d lOOh VI tCll ihOo LII
uuiry. She lives. but scarcely
breathes," was the whispered reply.
Hope bent over the bed, and touched
the thin hand which lay outside the
clothes. "She is breathing regularly.
Her hand is not burning. Go call the
DOCTOR Sister Marie Oh, go quick
ly"
When he came, he, too, touched her
hand and listened. She sleeps" he
said at length. she may live Keep
everything profoundly quiet"
Never could Hope forget that vigil.
AS the hours passed, and still the ex-
hausted patient slept and slept, some
more than natural strength seemed
given to the young watcher. who woul1
not quit the bedside, only taking cup
of milk to sustain her, for how long
she never knew.
At last, when then sun had sunk and
the first soft shades of night began to
fall, Mrs. Saville slowly lifted her eye
lids. and recognized Hope. She smiled
gently, as if feeling comfortable and
pleased to see her She was too weak
to speak The relief was too sudden,
too delightful, for Hopes self-com-
mand. "Oh, thank God! thank God!
you are better. you will live! we shall
save you!" she exclaimed, while the
glad tears dropped from her eyes on
the poor, helpless hand which she
kissed. Mrs. Saville smiled again; her
lips moved, as if she tried to say some
thing; then she closed her eyes, and
an expression Of Infinite content stole
over her worn face.
CHAPTER Xxx.
Having seen the doctor, who paid a
late visit to his patient, and heard
from him the confirmation of her hap
py anticipations, Hope left Sister Ma
RE in charge. and at length yielded to
the imperative necessity for rest.
What JOY it was to wake the next
morning and feel that the danger
past, and that she had helped to save
the cold, stern woman who had buried
her heart so deep down under her
pride, self-will and arrogance that
Hope had NEARLY despaired of touch
ing it. How sweet it was to return to
her post and see the delicate face no
longer disfgured by the dusky pur-
plish hue so surely indicative of fell
disease, but pale and cool, if worn and
thin!
Mrs. Saville's eyes were closed, but
she was not asleep. The faint rustic
Of Hopes dress, as she sat down caught
her attention, and she opened them.
Then she smiled, soft, kindly smile,
such as Hope had never seen before
part her lips, and she made a slight
motion of her almost transparent hand
toward Hopes. who Immediately took
it and kissed it tenderly.
you are really glad" Mrs. Saville
ENTHUSIASTICALLY" she sighed, sort
of contented sigh. and kept her eyes
fixed on her young companions face.
as II 1t gave her pleasure to look at
her.
The day passed in profound quiet.
The patient slept a great deal and
took all the nourishment offered her
the restful, contented expression on
her countenance assuring the watch.
ers that all was well.
The afternoon was far advanced
when Sister Marie, who had been talk.
ing her turn of rest, stood in the door.
way and made sign to Hope, who
came to her in the next room.
"A gentleman has arrived and wish.
es to see you." whispered the Sister
What kind of gentleman" asked
Hope, in the same Tone
HE is stout and gray"
"Ah! Mr. Rawson!" exclaimed
Hope; and she fastened to the salon
where she found that gentleman await
Ing her. He looked weary and anx
tous.
How is she?" he exclaimed, takine
Doth hands she held out. ''Is there
any hope7"
oh. thank heaven, she Is out OF dan
ger! she cried. bursting into tears
ner nerves no longer able to resist he,
omotlon, now that tho ta..,h,> ....s.