erienced a
sudden sinking of the heart in the thought that he might die.

He was very ill.... Pneumonia was one of the most deadly diseases. As
yet there was no means of knowing how it would go with him. With gnawing
anxiety she watched his flushed face and closed eyes and the rapid rise
and fall of his chest. How strong and well-built he was! and yet he lay
as weak and helpless as a child.

The thought that he might die was intolerable. It gave her a sense of
wild protest, a desire to fight with all power of her mind and will
against such a dire possibility. He must not die till he had recovered
his faith in human nature, his belief in womanhood. If there were any
truth in the New Philosophy he would not die if her determination could
sustain him, and help him over the crisis.

"Honey...?" the sick man muttered. His eyes had unclosed and were
looking full at her.

"Yes?" she replied, trembling from head to foot with startled surprise
at hearing him speak her name.

"Have they let you come at last?" he asked in weak tones.

"They sent for me to help," she returned gently.

"Was it because I wanted you so much? My soul has been crying out for
you. There is only one face I see in my dreams, and it is yours. You
will not leave me?" he asked breathlessly.

"I will stay as long as they let me," she said kneeling at the bedside
that she might not miss a syllable that fell from his lips.

"How did you know that I loved you all the time?"

"I did not know." Surely it was wrong for him to speak when he was so
ill? yet she longed to hear more. Every word thrilled her through and
through.

"Ever since that day--you remember?--when you came to me for help in
your danger and suspense; when I saw into that brave, staunch heart of
yours, and, for the first time, knew a true woman!" His face was alight
with emotion. It was transformed.

"Oh, hush!--you must not talk."

"Yes. I am horribly ill," he panted. "It is ghastly being tucked up like
this, unable to get up. But it is worth while if you will stay with me."
A pause while he frowned, chasing a thought. "What was I saying? My mind
is so confused."

"It does not matter, I understand."

He caught her hand and pressed it to his burning lips, then laid the
cool palm against his rough, unshaven cheek.

"If I have longed for anything it is for this--to hold your hand--so--to
feel that you'd care just a little bit whether I lived or died--nobody
else does on this wide