soul, I will." And Archie went away through the
rain with his sad burden, wondering how Rose could be so calm when the
beloved Prince might be dying.

A long dark day followed, with nothing to break its melancholy monotony
except the bulletins that came from hour to hour reporting little change
either for better or for worse. Rose broke the news gently to Aunt
Plenty and set herself to the task of keeping up the old lady's spirits,
for, being helpless, the good soul felt as if everything would go wrong
without her. At dusk she fell asleep, and Rose went down to order lights
and fire in the parlor, with tea ready to serve at any moment, for she
felt sure some of the men would come and that a cheerful greeting and
creature comforts would suit them better than tears, darkness, and
desolation.

Presently Mac arrived, saying the instant he entered the room: "More
comfortable, Cousin."

"Thank heaven!" cried Rose, unclasping her hands. Then seeing how worn
out, wet, and weary Mac looked as he came into the light, she added in
a tone that was a cordial in itself, "Poor boy, how tired you are! Come
here, and let me make you comfortable."

"I was going home to freshen up a bit, for I must be back in an hour.
Mother took my place, so I could be spared, and came off, as Uncle
refused to stir."

"Don't go home, for if Aunty isn't there it will be very dismal. Step
into Uncle's room and refresh, then come back and I'll give you your
tea. Let me, let me! I can't help in any other way, and I must do
something, this waiting is so dreadful."

Her last words betrayed how much suspense was trying her, and Mac
yielded at once, glad to comfort and be comforted. When he came back,
looking much revived, a tempting little tea table stood before the fire
and Rose went to meet him, saying with a faint smile, as she liberally
bedewed him with the contents of a cologne flask: "I can't bear the
smell of ether it suggests such dreadful things."

"What curious creatures women are! Archie told us you bore the news like
a hero, and now you turn pale at a whiff of bad air. I can't explain
it," mused Mac as he meekly endured the fragrant shower bath.

"Neither can I, but I've been imagining horrors all day and made myself
nervous. Don't let us talk about it, but come and have some tea."

"That's another queer thing. Tea is your panacea for all human ills
yet there isn't any nourishment in it. I'd rather have a glass of milk,
thank you," said