He made no reply, but laid off his disguises and lay down on the bed, exhausted. And Patty departed, grieved that all her labors were in vain, while Pinkey only muttered to himself, "I'm too weak, confound it!"
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE ALABASTER BOX BROKEN.
Not until Dr. Morgan came in at noon did any one venture to open the door of Kike's room. He found the patient much better. But the improvement could not be permanent, the sedative of mental rest and the tonic of joy had come too late.
"Morton," said Kike, "I want Dolly to do me one more service. Nettie will explain to you what it is."
After a talk with Nettie, Morton rode Dolly away, leading Kike's horse with him. The doctor thought he could guess what Morton went for, but, even in melancholy circumstances, lovers, like children, are fond of having secrets, and he did not try to penetrate that which it gave Kike and Nettie pleasure to keep to themselves. At ten o'clock that night Morton came back without Kike's horse.
"Did you get it?" whispered Kike, who had grown visibly weaker.
Morton nodded.
"And you sent the message?"
"Yes."