The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-08-29
CHAPTER XXX
The Rift In the Cloud.

Ihe Htft In the Cloud.
Daybreak found him still wan
dering far from hime. IL was
late in the afternoon when he
found himself standing on the
brow ola hill above the glen look
ing down at the white house nest
ling amongst the trees by the
loch-side.
AS he descended the hillside ne
stumbled along with his head
down, and the first consciousness
that a human being was near him
was when a voice called his name.
and he raised his eyes to see Fios-
sic coming up the path to meet
him.
He stared in a kind of apathetic
wonder. IL was undoubtedly Flos-
sic. His round, pink face wore its
characteristic expression of fresh
candor; but as his gaze rested on
Jock. a look OF wondering pity
came into his eyes.
MY dear boy" he said kindly,
where have you been? They've
been securing the place for you"
Jock swayed and took an I'M
steady step forward.
She's dead"
Flossie uttered a smothered ex-
clamation. Dead! The boys
crazed."
Flossie laid his baud on the
bowed shoulders.
MY dear boy, she's not dead.
Why do you say that"
Jock turned away from the
kindly touch.
She's dead" he said drearily.
You don't know. You didn't see.
l knew they we're deceiving me,
and went up-no one heard
me. looked in-the door was
open, and / saw"
Flossie pulled him round and
forced him to meet his eyes.
"You saw her sleeping" he said
slowly and distinctly. She was
asleep-a blessed sleep which has
saved her life"
"Sleep-sleepi" eehied Jock, In
a hoarse whisper.
Yes, Sleep" said Flossie.
The shades of evening were
falling and Jock stood al the open
window.
Angela had awakened and had
asked for him. and he was wait
ing for Christina to take him to
her.
Christina entered the room so
quietly that he did not hear her
until she came and stood with
him at the window.
''Sheiia's giving the dear lamb
her supper" she said. Christina
wiped her eyes. ITO think that
this time last night my heart was
failing me for fear. And
This time last night" repeat
ed Jock in a low voice.
Christina looked at him grave
ly for a moment.
I'm going to dell you some
thing very strange" she said. ut
was just at the gloamin' last
night. / had been watching her
in fear. for l saw that she was
sore distressed. She was plucking
at the sheet, and her voice was so
low that I couldn't hear right, but
| il was your name that she was
calling on. She was too weak to
raised herself on her pillow, and
| her arms were weak, too; but
suddenly | saw her stretch them
out quite strong-like, and she
tried to speak. Her eyes were
wide open, and you could see that
she was looking-listening as IL
she was waiting for an answer to
something. And then I that was
watching saw great change
come over her dear face. The
strained, frightened look faded
away, and a kind of radiance
spread over It. oh, IL was beau
tiful, deariel Just as IL an angel
had kissed her. and Iiyen her
peace"
Christina paused to wipe the
tears from her cheeks again.
And then, as l watched I saw
her eyes gradually close, and she
kind of settled down as II sleep
had fallen on her. When 1
listened. her breathing was quiet
and natural. and my heart nearly
burst out of my bosom with
thankfulness. for I knew that
sleep would save her. IL was
strange, dearie, wasn't It? Whsn
she woke up she was her dear
sweet self again"
Jock drew in q deep breath. He
did not question Christina; he
did not tell her of what had hap
pened in that room the night be-
fore.
That was the turning-point, !"
continued Christina. 1T was the
sleep that saved her"
81 came up" said Jock. You
did not see me. You had you
head down-lying on your folded
arms; and then I saw her, and
| thought-"
Christina smiled rather wanIy
"She was asleep them. and I
must have dropped off myself just
for a few minutes. was wearied.
and I remember laying my head
down and l must have dropped
off. Il was only a few minutes.
You must forgive me. II was 0nly
q few minutes"
"Oh. Christinai Did you think