arily, and she fell off into slumber again. She seemed not so
restless as before--did not moan, nor throw herself about in her sleep.

"She's better, I think," said Morgan, as he bent over her, and listened
to her softer breathing.

"It seems so," replied his wife. "And now, Joe, you must go to bed
again. I will lie down here with Mary, and be ready to do any thing for
her that she may want."

"I don't feel sleepy. I'm sure I couldn't close my eyes. So let me sit
up with Mary. You are tired and worn out."

Mrs. Morgan looked earnestly into her husband's face. His eyes were
unusually bright, and she noticed a slight nervous restlessness about
his lips. She laid one of her hands on his, and perceived a slight
tremor.

"You must go to bed," she spoke firmly. "I shall not let you sit up
with Mary. So go at once." And she drew him almost by force into the
next room.

"It's no use, Fanny. There's not a wink of sleep in my eyes. I shall
lie awake anyhow. So do you get a little rest." Even as he spoke there
were nervous twitchings of his arms and shoulders; and as he entered
the chamber, impelled by his wife, he stopped suddenly and said:

"What is that?"

"Where?" asked Mrs. Morgan.

"Oh, it's nothing--I see. Only one of my old boots. I thought it a
great black cat."

Oh! what a shudder of despair seized upon the heart of the wretched
wife. Too well she knew the fearful signs of that terrible madness from
which, twice before, he had suffered. She could have looked on calmly
and seen him die--but, "Not this--not this! Oh, Father in heaven!" she
murmured, with such a heart-sinking that it seemed as if life itself
would go out.

"Get into bed, Joe; get into bed as quickly as possible."

Morgan was now passive in the hands of his wife, and obeyed her almost
like a child. He had turned down the bed-clothes, and was about getting
in, when he started back, with a look of disgust and alarm.

"There's nothing there, Joe. What's the matter with you?"

"I'm sure I don't know, Fanny," and his teeth rattled together, as he
spoke. "I thought there was a great toad under the clothes."

"How foolish you are!"--yet tears were blinding her eyes as she said
this. "It's only fancy. Get into bed and shut your eyes. I'll make you
another cup of strong coffee. Perhaps that will do you good. You're
only a little nervous. Mary's sickness has disturbed you."

Joe looked cautiously under the bedclothes, as he lifted them up still
fa