conscious of a dreary sense of detachment from
all the world, the little circle of which she had been the center seemed
to contract until it held only herself. Suddenly Langham turned
uneasily on his pillow and glanced toward the window.

"What time is it?" he asked abruptly.

"It must be nearly day," said Evelyn. "How do you feel now, Marsh? Do
you suffer?"

He shook his head. His eyes were turned toward the window.

"What day is this?" he asked after a brief silence.

"What day?" repeated Evelyn.

"Yes--the day of the week, I mean?"

"It's Friday."

"They are going to hang John North this morning!" he said, and he
regarded her from under his half-closed lids. "I wonder what he is
thinking of now?" he added.

"Would the governor do nothing?" she asked in a whisper.

She was white to the lips.

"And the Herbert girl--I wonder what she is thinking of!"

"Hush, Marsh--Oh, hush! I--I can not--I must not think of it!" she
cried, and pressed her hands to her eyes convulsively.

"What does it matter to you?" he said grimly.

"Nothing in one way--everything in another!"

"I wish to God I could believe you!" he muttered.

"You may--on my soul, Marsh, you may! It was never what you
think--never--never!"

"It doesn't matter now," he said, and turned his face toward the wall.

"Marsh--" she began.

He moved impatiently, and she realized that it was useless to attempt to
alter what he had come to believe in absolutely. Beyond the windows the
first pale streaks of a spring dawn were visible, but the earth still
clothed itself in silence. The moments were racing on to the final act
of the pitiless tragedy which involved so many lives.

"Marsh--" Evelyn began again.

"I've been a dog to endure your presence in my house!" he said bitterly.

Evelyn was about to answer him when Doctor Taylor came into the room.

"Is he awake?" he questioned.

Langham gazed up into the doctor's face.

"Will I get well?" he demanded.

"I hope so, Marshall--I can see no reason why a few days of quiet won't
see you up and about quite as if nothing had happened."

"Come--I want to know the truth! Do you think I'm hurt internally, is
that it?" He sought to raise himself on his elbow but slipped back
groaning.

"You have sustained a very severe shock, still--" began the doctor.

"Will I recover?" insisted Langham impatiently.

"Oh, _please_, Marshall!" cried Evelyn.

"I want to know the truth! If you don't think you can s