here short, straight, blue-black locks, rumpled and
disordered, were piled elfishly around the low brow, was thrown up with
the swift movement of some startled furry animal, alert even in the
throes of death.

"Is all hope over? Did they tell you there is no chance for me?"

The voice was hoarse and thick, the articulation indistinct and
smothered.

"No. They think you very ill, but still hope the remedies will save
you. The doctor says your fine constitution ought to conquer the
disease."

"I am beyond the remedy--because I can't swallow any longer. Since the
doctor left me, I have tried and tried. See--"

From a bench within reach, she lifted a small yellow bowl, which
contained a dark mixture, put it to her lips, and chafing her swollen
glands, attempted several times to swallow the liquid. A gurgling sound
betrayed the futility of the effort, the medicine gushed from her nose,
the eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and even the husky cry of
the sufferer was strangled, as she cowered down.

"Compose yourself; nervousness increases the difficulty. Once I had
diphtheria, and could not swallow for two days, yet I recovered. Be
quiet, and let me try to help you."

Kneeling in front of her, Beryl turned up the wick of the lantern, and
with a small brush attached to a silver wire, finally succeeded in
cauterizing and removing a portion of the poisonous growth that was
rapidly narrowing the avenue of breath. The spasm of coughing that
ensued was Nature's auxiliary effort, and temporarily relieved the
tightening clutch.

After a few moments, a dose of the medicine was successfully
administered; and then the slender, shapely brown hand of the woman
grasped the nurse's blue homespun dress.

"Don't leave me! Save me. Oh, don't let me strangle here alone--in the
dark; don't let me die! I'm not fit. I know where I shall go. It's not
the devil I dread; I have known many devils in this world,--but God. I
am afraid of God!"

"Lie down, and cover your shoulders. If it comforts you to have me, I
will stay gladly. The doctor, the warden, all of us will do what we can
to cure you; but the help you need most, can come only from one whose
pity is greater and tenderer than ours, your merciful God. Lift up your
heart in prayer to him; ask him to forgive your sins, and spare you to
lead a better life."

"He would not hear, because He knows how black my heart has been all
these years; since I gave myself up to hate and cu