All blindly kneel,
Fainting, Thy name I call;
Touch me and heal!"

In the throbbing hush of the starlight a whippoorwill called three
times; the breeze rose in the forest; a little wind came fragrantly,
puff on puff, along the road, stirring the silvery dust.

* * * * *

She laid one slim hand in Lansing's; steadily and noiselessly they
traversed the dew-wet meadow, crossed the river by the second bridge,
and so came to the dark club-house under the trees.

There was nobody visible except the steward when they entered the hall.

"Two rooms and a bath, John," said Lansing, quietly; and followed the
steward up the stairs, guiding his blind charge.

The rooms were on the north angle; Lansing and Coursay inspected them
carefully, gave the steward proper direction, and dismissed him.

"Get me a telegram blank," said Lansing. Coursay brought one. His
cousin pencilled a despatch, and the young man took it and left the
room.

The girl was sitting on the bed, silent, intent, following Lansing with
her sightless eyes.

"Do you trust me?" he asked, pleasantly.

"Yes, ... oh, yes, with all my heart!"

He steadied his voice. "I think I can help you--I am sure I can. I have
sent to New York for Dr. Courtney Thayer."

He drew a long breath; her beauty almost unnerved him. "Thayer will
operate; he's the best of all. Are you afraid?"

She lifted one hand and held it out, hesitating. He took it.

"No, not afraid," she said.

"You are wise; there is no need for fear. All will come right, my
child."

She listened intently.

"It is necessary in such operations that the patient should, above all,
be cheerful and--and happy--"

"Oh, yes, ... and I am happy! Truly! truly!" she breathed.

"--and brave, and patient, and obedient--and--" His voice trembled a
trifle. "You must lie very still," he ended, hastily.

"Will you be here?"

"Yes--yes, of course!"

"Then I will lie very still."

He left her curled up in an easy-chair, smiling at him with blind eyes;
he scarcely found his way down-stairs for all his eyesight. He stumbled
to the grill-room door, felt for the knob, and flung it open.

A flood of yellow light struck him like a blow; through the smoke he
saw the wine-flushed faces of Colonel Hyssop and Major Brent staring at
him.

"Gad, Lansing!" said the Major, "you're white and shaky as a
ninety-nine-cent toy lamb. Come in and have a drink, m'boy!"

"I wanted