he discovered
that only one side was completely paralyzed, and that she could still
partially control her left arm. When he had done all that medical
skill could suggest, he stood at her side, and she suddenly grasped
his fingers.

He put his face close to hers, and observing her tears start afresh,
whispered,--

"You wish to tell me something before you die?"

A gurgling sound, and a faint motion of her lips was the only reply of
which she was capable.

He placed a pencil between her fingers, but she could not use it
intelligibly, and he noticed that her eyes moved from his to those of
her mistress, as if to indicate that she was the subject of the
desired conversation.

It was distressing to witness her efforts to communicate her wishes,
while the tears dripped on her pillow; and unable to endure the sight
of her anguish, Mrs. Gerome sank on her knees and hid her face in the
coverlet.

Dr. Grey gently lifted Elsie's arm and placed her hand on the head of
her mistress, and the expression of her face assured him he had
correctly interpreted her feelings. Something still disturbed her, and
he suggested,--

"Mrs. Gerome, put your hand in hers."

She silently obeyed him, and then the old woman's eyes looked once
more intently into his. He could not conjecture her meaning, until, in
feeling her pulse, he found that she was trying to touch his fingers
with hers.

He slipped his own into the palm where Mrs. Gerome's lay, and, by a
last great effort, she pressed them feebly together.

Even then, the touch of those white, soft fingers, thrilled his heart
as no other hand had ever done, and he said,--

"Elsie, you mean that you leave her in my care? That you put her in my
hands? That you trust her to me?"

It was impossible to mistake the satisfied expression that flashed
over her countenance.

"I accept the trust. Elsie, I promise you that while I live she shall
never want a true and faithful friend. I will try to take care of her
body, and pray for her soul. I will do all that you would have done."

Once more, but very faintly, she pressed the two hands she had
clasped, and closed her eyes.

"Oh, doctor, can't you save her?" sobbed Robert.

In the solemn silence that ensued Mrs. Gerome lifted her face, and Dr.
Grey never forgot the wild, imploring gaze, that met his. He
understood its import, and shook his head. She rose instantly, moved
away from the bed, and left the room.

For nearly an hour Dr. Gre