very few
Soon ended years, and then--the ceaseless psalm,
And the eternal Sabbath of the soul."

As Salome looked up into his tranquil, happy face, two tears glided
across her cheeks, and fell upon the pretty bauble.

"You will find a key in the case, and can wind it up, and set it by
the clock in the parlor."

"Dr. Grey, are you willing that my watch shall bear daily testimony of
something which I hold far above its diamonds,--that you have faith in
Salome Owen?"

"Perfectly willing that you should make it eloquent with all friendly
utterances and sympathy. Hester has bound my arm so tightly that it
impedes the circulation, and is very painful. Please loosen the
bandage."

She complied as carefully as possible, though her hands trembled; and,
when the ligature had been comfortably adjusted and the arm restored
to its sling, she stooped and pressed her lips softly and reverently
to the cold, white fingers, that protruded from the linen bands. He
endeavored ineffectually to prevent the caress, which evidently
embarrassed him; but she left two kisses on the bruised hand, and,
snatching her watch and chain from the table, hastily quitted the
room.

In after years, when loneliness and disappointment pressed heavily
upon her heart, she looked back to the three weeks that succeeded Dr.
Grey's return as the halcyon days, as the cloudless June morning of
her life; and, in blissful retrospection, temporarily found Elysium.

She wrote his letters, read aloud from his favorite books, dressed and
bandaged his blistered hand and fractured arm, and surrendered her
heart to an intense and perfect happiness such as she had scarcely
dared to hope would ever be her portion.

CHAPTER XI.

"Bring her into my office. Steady, men! There may be broken bones, and
jarring would be torture. Don't stumble over that book on the floor.
Lay her here on the sofa, and throw open the blinds."

"Dr. Grey, is she dead?"

"No, only badly stunned; and the contusion on the head seems to be
very severe. Stand back, all of you, and give her air. When did it
happen?"

"About twenty minutes ago. She is a stout, heavy woman, and we could
not walk very fast with such a burden. Ah! you intend to bleed her?"

"Yes, I fear nothing else will relieve her. Mitchell, hold the arm for
me."

"How did she receive this injury?" asked Dr. Mitchell, who had been
holding a consultation with Dr. Grey relative to some perplexing
case.

"Those g