Part 9 (2/2)

”Yes,” he said, as his eyes met hers; and if was some moments before they ithdrawn, both, in the pre-eht of the old housekeeper, who involuntarily h; and as Marion started and aze, the old woman shook her head at her reproachfully

”Oh, my dear! my dear!” she said softly; ”pray, pray think”

Marion's brow contracted, and she walked sloay, to take up her forave the old wory look, as she now shook her head sadly at him

”No, doctor, no,” she said softly; ”that could never be Please think only of your patient and your position of trust”

”How dare you, woone ho him more deeply than she could have realised

”Because I a his eyes unflinchingly ”I nursed her when she was a little child, and I have watched over her ever since Yes, she is very beautiful, but that could never be”

Chester bent over his patient with knitted brow and tightly-co the truth of the old woain mentally--that could never be

His hands were busy with his task, and his brain was more active than ever, as he felt now that he had won this victory, and that the effort to bring the poor fellow back to life and strength would now be an easy one; littlewould suffice Why, then, could he not win in that other fight? She was right; that could never be; and he seee, drea to the fact that he had lapsed into a faithless scoundrel, he who had believed himself all that wascould drag him from Marion's side He loved her more than he could have believed possible, but it could never be He ake once o

”Hah!” he said softly, as he finished his task and the old housekeeper rose to bear away sponge, basin and towel, ”head cooler, ht, but I win An error of judg I saw no bullet, or Ielse had passed away for the moment in the pride of his satisfaction--the triu on the back of the couch, the other upon his left hip, as he bent over his patient, whose breath came softly, and there was a restful look in the thin white face

Then he started round, for there was a light touch upon his arm, and he was face to face with Marion oncehis

”Is--is it true?” she whispered excitedly ”She told me as she went out--you did not speak”

”Yes; quite true,” cried Chester ”No wonder, poor fellow, that he made no advance But there, we have won, and a day or two's nursing will be all he wants Now you can feel at rest”

”Feel--at rest?”

”Of course; there is no disease Weakness is the only trouble now”

”Weakness the only trouble now! Rob--Rob--my own dear boy!”

She sank upon her knees, and as he saw her action, Chester tried to check her But she gave hilance, and passed her soft white ar hi kiss she breathed, as it were, upon his lips Then she rose, sobbing gently, with all the strength of herto have passed away, as with outstretched hands she caught at the nearest object to save herself fro

That nearest object was Chester; and the next iven him back to me,” she sobbed, her voice little above a whisper ”You have saved him How can I ever repay you for what you have done?”

The ; now as he felt the sobs rising fro forher lips nearer his; and the next thened kiss

”Out of what comedy is this, doctor?” said a harsh, farily apart, Jem, as they called hiht towards Marion, upon whom he fixed his fierce eyes, as he spoke to her coratulate you, doctor--both of you It was so real--so passionately grand And you,” he literally hissed now, ” sister! _Pour passer le te Curse you!” he whispered savagely, as he stopped before her, and with a quick ht her by the wrist

The nexttohim back over the table before which he stood, while Marion was flung aside