le others brought in more lamps and fetched and carried all
that was necessary for the work of First Aid.

With her life ebbing fast, Mrs. Dalton made a pitiful attempt to explain
the reason of her presence on her husband's side of the house, afraid
that he would misunderstand her motive; and he was filled with sorrow
and self-reproach. "I came to see that you were safe--I only wanted to
watch over you, for I had been warned that you were in danger. Miss
Bright wrote--her letter is on my table, read it."

"I understand," he said with the utmost gentleness, "and I cannot find
words to tell you how I honour your wonderful courage and sacrifice."

"It was the only thing to do. I could not call out--I had no voice! I
was so dreadfully afraid!"

"Afraid for me!--and not for yourself!"

"I had no time to think of that."

"It was heroism! You did a thing which, in battle, would have won you
the Victoria Cross!"

"Thank God I was able!" she panted.

"I do not deserve it. Will you forgive me?" he asked brokenly.

"It is I who have to ask that!"

"The past is all wiped out today, so far as I am concerned. God bless
you!"

"Ah, thank you for that!--May God forgive me for the mistakes and the
folly--the wrong-doing! It is too late now to retrieve them! Ah, those
words, 'too late'!--on how many graves?... the words, 'too late'!...
Yet--Honor would say it is never too late while there is breath in which
to call on--the name of the Lord."

"God is very merciful to all sinners who repent," said Dalton. "I, too,
am a sinner. I have been a Pharisee and hypocrite all my life; may I,
too, be forgiven!"

"Perhaps this will be taken into the account--my atonement," she sighed
feebly.

"You have done what few women in your place would have had the courage
to do. I shall remember it all the days of my life with gratitude and
remorse."

For a while they were silent as he did all he could to ease her
suffering.

"This is death!" she whispered, searching for his face with glazing
eyes. "Tell Honor--I wish her the happiness she deserves.... You will
love her as you could never have loved me. It is for the best...!"

Dalton stooped low and kissed her on the forehead and as he straightened
himself he saw that she was dead.

* * * * *

When Honor arrived in the verandah and heard the story of the tragedy,
her heart bounded with a very human relief at the thought that a most
precious life had be