down from the mountain, and John took an earthen jar, and ran to
fill it.

"It is so good of you," the sick woman sighed, as he moistened her
fevered lips.

John Stevens was now very anxious about her, for she was growing rapidly
worse. He knew a little about medicine and had brought some remedies
from the ship; but the disease which had fastened itself on Blanche
defied his skill. She was at times seized with a fit of coughing which
almost took away her breath. When he had exhausted all his efforts, she
said sweetly:

"You can do no more."

"Blanche, Blanche," he almost sobbed, "Heaven knows I would give my life
to spare you one pang."

"I know it," she answered.

"What will you have me do?"

"Sit by my side."

He brought a stool and sat by her bedside.

"Hold my hand, I have such frightful dreams, and I want you near."

He took the little fevered hand in his own and for hours sat by her
side.

Morning came and went, came and went again, and she grew worse.

John never left her save to bring cold water to slake her burning
thirst, or prepare some remedy to check the ravages of the fever.

"Oh, God! to be left alone--to be left all alone! Can I endure it?" he
sighed. When he was at her side, he said:

"It was the journey to Snow-Top. It was too much for you, Blanche, I am
to blame for this."

"No, no, blame not yourself. I it was who insisted on going."

She rapidly grew worse, and John Stevens saw that she must die.
Occasionally she fell asleep, and then he thought how beautiful she was.
Once she murmured his name and sweetly smiled. She awoke and was very
weak. Raising her eyes, she saw him at her side, and with that same
happy smile on her face, she said:

"Oh, I had such a delightful dream. It may be wicked; but it was
delightful. I dreamed that I was she."

"Who?"

"Your wife--"

"Blanche!"

"Kiss me, brother--I am going--rapidly going."

He entwined his arms about the being who, for fifteen years, had been
his only companion, and pressed his lips to hers.

"Blanche, Blanche, you must not die; for my sake live."

"No, no; I will soon be gone; then you will be all alone. Don't leave me
until all is over."

"I shall not, Blanche; I shall not," cried Stevens, holding her tightly
clasped in his strong arms.

"It may be wrong--but we have been here so long--meet me in heaven,
brother."

"God grant that I may, poor girl."

"Pray with me."

He knelt at her side, and the lips of b