New Britain herald., 1924-03-11
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY


 It was entirely as q result of that tireless vigilance of his and of the constant poulticings which he ap- piled. that on the fourth day the swelling in the patients armpit, hav- ing been brought to a head, began to vent the deadly poison with which her veins were laden.
 Beamish was as amazed as he was delighted.
 Nictuals and what else was needed from outside reached them through the agency of their own watchman. Holes, who was still plartifully sup pied with funds from what Bucking- ham had furnished him for this ad- venture. would lower the necessary money from the window in a basket. 1 By the same means the watchman would send up the purchases he made on behalf of those within, absenting 1 himself when necessary for the pur- pose, but always leaving the door locked and taking the key with him. Thus. until the morning of the sixth day, when from daybreak until past l s o'clock Holes waited in a sudden | frenzy of impatience for the coming of Beamish. When at last he ar rived, Holes met him at the stair | head.
 The Colonel's face was ghastly, his eyes feNercd, and he was trembling with fearful excitement. she sleeps-quietly and peace fully" he informed the doctor, in q whisper, a finger to his lips. Very softly they entered the cham Der now and tiptoed to the bedside, Holes in an agony Of hope atking. up his position at the foot between the carved bedposts. A glance confirmed the news with which Holes had met the physician. Not only was she in an easy, tranquil slumber, such as she had not known since taking 10 this bed. but the fever had entirely left her. This the doctors practiced eye judged at once, even before he moved to take her pulse.
 At that touch of his hand upon her wrist, she stirred, sighed, and opened her eyes, sanely and calmly awake at last She looked up into the wizened, kindly little spectaclcd face of the doctor, blankly at first, then with a little frown Of bewilderment But he was speaking at the moment and the words he used holped her groping wits to piece together the puzzle of her surroundings and con dition.
 "The danger is overpast," he was saying. She will recover now, thanks be to God and 10 your own tircless care Of her. It is yourself gives me more concern than she does Leave her now to the care of Mrs. Dallows, and do you go rest yourself or I tell you 1, will not answer for your life" He had been looking at Holes whist he spoke. Now he turned to consider her again, and found her conscious glance upon him. See. She is awake" he cried.
 The danger is overpast?" Holes echoed, his voice thick and un- natural. You say the danger is overpast? am awake. good doctor? | have not by chance fallen asleep at my post and come to dream this thing"
 You are awake, man. and l repeat the danger i sat an end. Now go and rest"
 Wondering to whom it was the doctor spoke, whose was that raucous weary voice that questioned him, she slowly turned her head. and beheld a gaunt. hollow-eyed ghost Of d man, whose pallid, sunken cheeks were overgrown with a coarse stubble of unshaven beard, standing between the bedposts. clutching at one Of them as if for support. Meeting her gaze, he recoiled step and loosed his hold. Then he swung helf-round, hand to his brow.
 "Naught ails me, doctor, he mumbled. and now she knew who he was and remembered. "1 would sooner
 His voice abruptly ceased in mid period: he reeled. steadied himself for an instant, and then toppled slow iy forward and crashed at full length upon the floor.
 Swiftly the doctor tore open the breast of the Coloncl's doublet: but not even so much was necessary. At once he perceived what had hap pened.
 He is asleep" said Dr. Beamish; and he almost chuckled. That is all. Help me to lift him to that couch. Mrs. Dallows. No need 10 carry him farther or 10 do more for him at present. Never fear. you'll not rouse him-not until the clock has gone round once. 2t least"
 They laid him there. q pillow under his head. and Eeamish returned to his patients side.
 "Sleep?'' she questioned the doc tor. wonderingly. "Is that slcep?" Nothing worse. ma'am. The Colonel has never so much as closed his eyes for a whole week. Nature compassionately has closed them for him"
 She looked at him intently. ~ have the plague. have not?" i Say rather that you had it. ms'am. l You have it no longer. The plague will not touch you again. For the great mercy thus vouchsafed you. you may render thanks to God. and. next 10 God. to your husband. She frowned. peTplexed.
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