"You will not die, Walter—you must not!" she cried. "I should feel as if I had murdered you! You must try to get well again!"
Walter shook his head in silence, and Lina looked around at the surgeon.
"Oh, sir, he will get well—will he not?" she exclaimed, pleadingly.
"I hope so," he answered, gravely; but her quick ear detected the tone of doubt in his voice.
She looked down at the handsome, white face on the pillow. He was so young, and life held so much for him; yet he was dying—dying for her.
"Walter, you must not go away from us like this! Live—for me!"
Walter's dim eyes flashed wide open, full of eager joy.
"Lina!" he exclaimed, incredulously.
"I mean it!" she whispered, gently. "Try to live, Walter, and as soon as I can be relieved of those galling fetters that bind me I will be your own. I will be as generous as you are. You were willing to give me your life—now I will give you mine."
"Lina, I must not accept such a sacrifice from you," he whispered, almost too weak to refuse the promise she gave so unselfishly.