The daily morning oasis., 1918-02-17

might be employed. "But if you will
allow me to speak a word to her,
think ! shall be able to obtain from her
kinder and more appreciative ex-
preston OF her wishes than that YOU
nave Just listened to. Though circum-
stances nave prevented my ever seeing
much OF her, | fatter myself that | am
not without influence with one who came
so near to calling me father. At all
events she will not dread being either
scolded or urged into what is objection
able to her instincts or nice sense of
duty, by me-"
Manifestly he was an infreuuent
guest, and as such not accustomed to
lntrude himself in family matters for
astonlshment sat on every ice, assum-
ing in Mr.. Cassetty's an aspect of
anger, and in Mr. Beauchamp's that of
an undisguised hostility, which made
me suspect, for the first time, that this
ardent but proud young man did not
rate MIR. Melville's superior attract ms
and cratic but kindly impulses at their
true value.
But neither gave utterance to any
open dissent, and l could easily dis
tlnguish Mr.. Melville's step approach
ing behind me. Consulting the d ctor
with look, | drew to one side just as
the latter drew to the other, and Mr..
Melville glided in between. Coralie,
who was almost herself again, gave him
very little encouragement to address her,
but when she saw that he was bound to
speak, she feebly motioned for us all to
fall back and leave her alone with him.
We obeyed, but hovered near, with our
eyes on her drawn, set features
MIR. Melville, with half caressing,
yet quite determined manner, sat down
on the side of her bed, and with last
glance in the direction of the two men
who showed so little faith or even
interest in this fresh attempt to influence
this unhappy girl, he took her hand in
his and whispered in her ear a few
words
They must have struck home, for she
paled, if one may SO speak of one who
was white as the driven snow before
but listened with trembling lips and
averted eyes while he .sked her a
question or two.
The latter seemed to move her
strangely, and offered some suggestion.
Scarcely did she seem to breathe; but
as the doctor made no move to interfere
| dared not, and presently we saw her
lips stir and faint murmur issue from
them. When this ceased, Mr.. Melville
rose to his feet and fsced George
Beauchamp.
"Coralie is sorry" said he.
The simplicity of the words and the
tenderness with which he uttered them,
reused her as nothing had reused her
yet.
"Yes," she cried, starting up, a
hectic flush lighting each cheek, "I am
sorry if l was unkind or-wild-or
anything I ought not to be. If George
will forgive me and call DR.. Rodman
back, will be married gladly. But let
it be now, nOw."
Melville, with a look of triumph 1
thought quite excusable, made way for
the eager lover. Miss Ffolliet, who
suddenly appeared from behind her
curtain, stepped to the door, and made
gesture to some one standing outside,
while |, in my 'sition at the bed-head
because l could not help it, to
the few words which now passed be-
tween the two brothers-in-law.
Melville, you are certainly an un-
known quantity" was Mr.. Cassetty's
odd remark. "What could you have
said to Coralie to influence her so
speedily. | did not suppose she would