The Washington times., 1917-11-07
DRACULA,
OR
THE VAMPIRE
By BRAN STOKER.

had moved slightly, and had torn
away the garlic flowers from her
throat. replaced them as well as I
could. and sat watching her.
Presently she woke, and l gave her
food. as Van Helsing had prescribed.
She took but a little. and - that Ian
guidly. There did not seem to be with
her now the unconscious struggle for
life and strength that had hitherto 80
marked her illness. 1t struck me as
curious that the moment she became
conscious she pressed the garlic
flowers close to her. ~.
1t was certainly odd that whenever
she got into that lethRrgic state, with
the stertorous breathing. she put the
flowers from her; but that when she
walked she clutched them close. There
was no possibility of making any
mistake about this. for in the long
hours that followed. she had many
spells OF sleeping and waking and re-
peated both actions many times.
At 9 o'clock Van Helsing came TO
relieve me. Arthur had than fallen
into q doze, and he mercifully let him
sleep on. When he saw Lucy's face
could hear the Kissing indraw of his
breath, and he said to me in a sharp
whisper: Draw up the blind; want
light" Then he bent down. and, with
his face almost touching Lucy's. ex-
Tamined her carefully. He removed
the flowers and lifted the sink hand
kerchief from her throat As he did
so he started back. and I could hear
his ejaculation, "Mein Gottr. as It
was smothered In his throat. I bent
over and looked. too. and a. I noticed
some queer chill came over me.
ThA vu0nnda on the threat haA aha0
lutely disappeared.
For tllly hve minutes Van Helsing
stood looking at her. with his face at
Its sternest. Then he turned to me
and said calmly:
DIR. VAN HELsING WARNS
THAT LUCY IS DYING.
''She Is dying. 1t will not be long
now. It will be much difference,
mark me, whether she dies conscious
or in her sleep. Wake that poor boy
and let him come and see the last: he
trusts US. and We have promised him."
I went to the dining room and
walked him. He was dazed for q mo-
ment, but when he saw the sunlight
streaming in through the edges Of the
shutters he thought he was late, and
expressed his fear. assured him
that Lucy was still asleep. but told
him as gently as could that both
Van Helsing and feared that the
end was near.
He covered his face with his hands
and slid down on his knees by the
sofa, where he remained. perhaps q
minute, with his head buried, praying,
whilst his shoulders shook with grief.
took him by the hand and raised
him up. Come" said. my dear old
fellow, summon all your fortitude; It
will be best and easiest for her"
When We came into Lucy's room Il
could see that Van Helsing had, with
HIS usual forethought, been putting
matters straight and making every
thing look as pleasing as possible.
He had even brushed Lucy's hair, so
that 1t lay on the pillow in its usual
sunny ripples. When we came into
the room she opened her eyes, and
seeing him, whispered softly:
Arthur! oh, my love, I am so
glad you have come" He was stoop-
ing to kiss her. when Van HeIs.ng
motioned him back. NO" he whis-
pered, mot yet! Hold her hand; II
win comfort her more"
So Arthur took her hand and knelt
beside her. and she looked her best.
with all the soft lines matching the
angelic beauty OF her eyes. Then
gradually her eyes closed, and she
sank to sleep. For a little bit her
breast heaved softly, and her
breath came and went like a tired
child's.
(To he Continued TOuorrowD
JCopyriEhtsdD