Mrs. Falchion, Volume 2_

and the rumble of the rapids came musically down the canon. I lifted my head and saw an eagle sailing away to the snow-topped peak of Trinity, and then turned to watch the orioles in the t

half divinity; but

g in imagination a long procession of pleasant things; of- As I looked, another procession moved through the creatures of my dreams, so that they shrank away timidly, the

lled all the summer. A man whispered to me: "We found him at

"He is not dead, t

ork, with what appliances I had, to deal with the dreadful injuries. When the doctor came, together we made him into the semblance of a man again. His face was but s

ged her not to come at all. I might have spared her that; for, as I afterwards knew, she had no intention of coming. Sh

e and smiled faintly, but I had shaken my head, and he had said nothing. Now, however, he was

aintly: "Marmion,

as best, and I replied:

chance of y

ad sadly. "A ve

faint on

oked at me as thoug

e chance is worth anything. If yo

nt to die,"

have Ruth to live for. Besides, if you are given th

and then he said: "You a

, Mar

y to him, and then asked him to talk no mor

you know it was not a fall I had?" He raised his chin an

was not a fa

Phil's p

ought

t? Did-others-think so

; they could have no ground for suspicion. But I h

had been drinking, and -and he was justified.

put my finger

y was motionless. He slept for hours so, and then he waked rather sharpl

, I understand. Go to

moved his head about his pillow. He could

one, and the cause of it? After thinking it over and over, I concluded that he

med. He had a private income; therefore if he determined to work no

d sorrowfully and said: "To what end, Marmion? I am a drifting wreck. It will only s

ble? Is it just

, quite right. I am selfish. When one is shaking be

ing you back from th

let her come, will you, Marmio

oom, went quietly to his bedside, and, sitting down, took his h

. But you will soon be well, so we mus

. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

he ventured. "This was your prese

s was the

eyes grew suddenly hard, and she stooped and wh

n, but he said immediately

dded, "that it was

ss. There is nothing in life like the anger o

o inquire. Mrs. Falchion, she said, was not going aw

er, "do you not think it

m; but she g

r h

then she continued: "Madame told me to say to you that sh

you now, monsieur, as I did on board the 'Fulvia'. But he will be better cared

o. I am n

and then I tried to sp

lit itself in humanity and compassion. "The price of the big mill for the guara

entirely out of danger. It was singular, but in this illness, though the fever was high, he n

oscoe should be president and padre respectively. But the suspense to us all, for many days, was very great; until, one morning when the birds were waking

going to live now? You are going to be re

ieve I shal

the valley to inquire after him. I did not tell him that there had been one or two disturbances between the river-drivers

le man. I am true in intention, God knows, but I must carry a crippled arm for the rest of my life, must I no

gave them-shall I say it?-a crippled mind before; you give them a crippled body

last he turned his face towards the window, and, not loo

at he wou

ired, or a messenger was sent. And when, this fortunate day, Justine herself came, and I

ays also; but now I think she will

lchion a note, hinting that there were grave reasons why she should stay a little longer: things connected with her own happiness. T

eply which said that s

iously awaiting the

e. After reading it shrinkingly h

t, but I'm glad I hev

dn't hurt you, I'd nev

s no need to do any

maybe you didn't kil

n't. But you hurt her

r no more of Phil's pa

-so much more painful than distress of body. As I was leaving the room, I looked back and saw Ruth sitting on a stool beside Roscoe's chair, holding the unmaimed hand in hers; the father's face shining with pleasure and pride. Before I went out, I turned aga

f lightning, and in that flash a figure hurried by me. One moment, and there was a

kly toward it. In another white gleam I saw Justine with her arms about the

not that! It is

d stood b

ground and buried a pitif

leaned o

of the past is all tears. Noth

t I was there. Justine lifte

d stole sil