deserted streets like a forlorn, wailing spirit.

Jack told his story briefly, also repeating what Martha had said about
Irene's habit of lonely walking. He felt the sensitive nerves in the arm
he held, quiver with a shuddering pain.

"Thank God it was you!" Fred said, with a great, tremulous gasp. "She is
so strange, so cold and self-contained,--so bitter against fate! Believe
me, Jack, I have tried my utmost"--and the voice broke with something
like a sob.

"I know it, dear old fellow," drawing him nearer as the blast whistled
around them.

"We never learned to make each other happy, you know. We never supposed
we had any special duties to one another, so it was a new task to me. I
tried to interest her in something, to make her more cheerful; but she
would wrap herself in that haughty, unconquerable coldness. Yet if I had
known or guessed"--

"After all, there is very little danger down your end of the town," said
Jack, in that light, comforting tone. "There's nothing to call tramps or
roughs; and, I dare say, to-night all would have gone straight if she
had not run against me, as one may say, and the fright made her faint."

"But if it had been some one else! Oh, my God!"

"It was not; so never give that a second thought. There is no use in
bringing up an army of 'might-have-beens' to worry you to death when you
have escaped danger. And--here we are."

"You will come in, of course?"

Jack followed his friend. Maverick had succeeded in restoring Miss
Lawrence to consciousness; but she was now in a burning fever and raging
delirium. Outraged nature had at last asserted its sway.

"It is better so, I think," remarked Maverick, in a quiet, decisive
tone. "She will have a severe run of fever, for this has been some time
coming on; but she has youth and a naturally fine constitution in her
favor. I believe she will pull through. But some arrangement must be
settled upon. It will not do to take her up-stairs; for the effect upon
your mother will be too great a risk. If you could bring a bed down
here--to-morrow I will see about getting a nurse."

"I think it would be better to bring her bed down stairs," rejoined
Martha. "The parlor is used so little. And she would be so much more
comfortable"--

Martha's eyes went over the heavy, clinging dress, the disordered hair,
the bracelets that were like manacles as she threw her arms about,
moaning, muttering, and laughing shrilly. The eyes rolled wildly in
their