The Elbert County tribune., 1915-01-29

the blue cotton gown which belonged
to "Cordelia' in the last act; her fin-
gers clenched each other while she
turned an implorfng gaze to the quiet
face OF the surgeon
II do no. know-yet," he whispered.
answering the question In her eyes:
..ft is too soon to tell. He lived
through it. and It is one of those oper-
ations when the patient does not al
ways live"
Somebody led her away. In dazed
fashion she knew that Alice Volk
bathed her face and braided her hair
into two long strands and changed her
stage gown for soft kimono. Then
Merry took her hand and she followed
him to the library. She lay down upon
couch feeling as II every nerve in
her body had an ear and 1t was listen
ing. The house was perfectly still.
Once in her mind she used that
phrase, "Still as death" Afterwards
she fell into shivering fit; the tears
came, and she sobbed SO fiercely that
the agony seemed to tear at her
throat.
From a shadowy corner near the
fireside Merry rose apd crept across
the room. He dropped on his knees
beside her and soothed her without
word. as one broods over an unhappy
child. The warm grip in which he
held her hand between his own gave
her courage and hope. She rose to
her feet and he led her to the window
where she sat down and looked out
into the dark, quiet square. Out Of her
memory rose the thought of an early
morning-it was only year ago
when she had seen Andrew Merry for
the first time. stretched listlessly on
the park bench, with gray, thin fog
occasionally blotting him from her
sight. 1t was here, too, she had sat
watching children scufiie through
wind-blown leaves. while she heard
her brother read the manuscript of
The House of Esterbrook." Merry
sat silent at her side until the nurse
entered the room
Miss Wentworth" she said. DIR.
Mowbray wants you. Your brother has
been conscious for few minutes. He
cannot speak. but he wants something.
win you come?"
They followed the woman swiftly.
Enoch's eyes sought hers with piteous
pleading which was almost agony. She
bent to kiss him. His gaze travelled
to Merry and the agony seemed to
change to peace.
You saved his life. Enoch.'' she
whispered.
Andrew laid his fingers gently upon
the nerveless hand which rested out
side the sheet. The eyes OF the two
men met: in those OF one was a mute
prayer for forgiveness, in the others
shone gratitude and the old affection
grown steadfast.
Enoch's lips moved. He was trying
to speak. Dorcas laid her ear close
to his mouth.
He wants his keys" she said
quickly.
The nurse left the bedside and re-
turned with bunch of small keys
strung upon steel ring Dorcas laid
them in her brothers hand. 1t was
pitifully inert! She lifted them and
ran them through her fingers. one by
one, as Catholic tells her beads in a
rosary. Her gaze was fixed upon his
eager eyes. When she touched shin
lug brass key a gleam Of relief shone
in the mans beseeching eyes. She
rose to her feet \
Il will go at once, Enoch. and find
it. l shall know what you want. what
ever it is, and will bring it to you"
The doctor followed Merry and Dor
cas- to the door. Don't come back un-
less l send for you. The exertion has
been too much for him.
This is the key to small drawer
in Enoch's DESK" explained the girl.
Il can probably guess what he wants.
ought to show it to him. If his
mind is set on something he may sleep
quietly when he knows have found
it,"
''I will call you II he does not Sleep"
said the doctor.
Merry walked to the window and
stared vaguely into the darkness. A
little clock on the mantel struck three.
Once he looked over his shoulder at
Dorcas. He could hear the crackle of
stif paper as she unfolded few long,
narrow sheets which were tied in
thin bundle.
II have found Enoch's will and
number of business papers. Here are
his bankbooks and the contract with
Oswald for the play. There are bonds
and things of that sort-things | do
not understand. | imagine" the girls
voice broke into a sob. 'it must be
the will he wants"
Probably. it is. dear" said Andrew
gently. She laid the papers on the
desk and lifted a yellow envelope
There was no writing upon it: 1t was
unsealed. She took out slip of pa
per and stood motionless while she