hich Tresler was lying dead on the bed
beside her, and she was going through the agony of realization. She
was mourning him, living on in the dreary round of her life under her
father's roof, listening to his daily sneers, and submitting to his
studied cruelties. No doubt this waking dream would have continued
until real sleep had stolen upon her unawares, but, after an hour,
something occurred to fully arouse her. There was a distinct movement
on the bed. Tresler had suddenly drawn up one arm, which, almost
immediately, fell again on the coverlet, as though the spasmodic
movement had been uncontrolled by any power either mental or physical.

She was on her feet in an instant, bending over him ready to
administer the drugs Doc. Osler had left with her. And by the light of
the shaded lamp she saw a distinct change in the pallor of his face.
It was no longer death-like; there was a tinge of life, however faint,
in the drawn features. And as she beheld it she could have cried aloud
in her joy.

She administered the restoratives and returned to her seat with a
fast-beating heart. And suddenly she remembered with alarm how near
sleep she had been. She rose abruptly and began to pace the room. The
moment was a critical one. Her lover might regain consciousness at any
time. And with this thought came an access of caution. She went out on
the landing and looked at the head of the stairs. Then she crept back.
An inspiration had come to her. She would barricade the approach, and
though even to herself she did not admit the thought, it was the
recollection of her father's blindness that prompted her.

Taking two chairs she propped them at the head of the stairs in such a
position that the least accidental touch would topple them headlong.
The scheme appealed to her. Then, dreading sleep more than ever, she
took up her "sentry-go" on the landing, glancing in at the sick-room
at every turn in her walk.

The hours dragged wearily on. Tresler gave no further sign. It was
after midnight, and the girl's eyes refused to keep open any longer;
added to which she frequently stumbled as she paced to and fro. In
desperation she fetched the lamp from the sick-room and passed into
her own, and bathed her face in cold water. Then she busied herself
with tidying the place up. Anything to keep herself awake. After a
while, feeling better, she sat on the edge of her bed to rest. It was
a fatal mistake. Her eyes closed against all effort of will