“Is it so?” she said, in utmost sadness. “Death loves a shining mark.”
“Good-bye,” said Connors. “God grant we soon may meet again, under happier and safer conditions.”
They separated, each filled with mighty anxiety for the other, but each too truly great and noble to allow personal longing to interfere with the stern duty of the hour. But it was not many months before their unselfishness was rewarded with a happiness of pure and gentle nature.
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE LAWYER SURRENDERS.
Among those who felt the touch of the awful disease was Edward Salmon, the lawyer. For days it had its strong clutch upon him, but he battled bravely, and Marie and Milton were tireless in their tender care and solicitude. Most of the time he lay in fevered unconsciousness, not recognizing those by whom he was surrounded. Often death approached so near at hand that Marie shuddered in dread, and Milton was full of grief on her account. At length, however, the struggle ended in victory, and Edward Salmon lived.
When consciousness had become fully restored, and the danger was over, Marie had Milton go away. She had resolved upon her course of action.
One day when Mr. Salmon, in his smoking jacket, weak and pale, sat thinking, Marie, cuddled up to him, and stroking his hair. He knew something was coming, for, like her dear, dead mother before her, that was the girl’s way.
“Father,” she said, “you have been ill, very ill, but thank God you have been spared.”