“Ah, I knew you would hate me! But I could not die without making my peace with God,” he moaned faintly. “I told the preacher about it last night, and he prayed for me, and said I must tell you all, so as to win God’s forgiveness and yours. You can forgive me, can’t you, since I was so soon cut down in my wickedness, and forced to repent? And, Daisie, I have sent for my lawyer. I shall leave you my whole fortune in atonement, so that you may one day be happy with Dallas Bain.”
“I will not accept it—I do not want it!” she cried hastily, adding: “Take my forgiveness freely. You sinned against me through your great love, so I cannot hate you.”
A glad smile irradiated his features, and he was about to thank her for her goodness when Doctor Burns entered softly, having returned from his mission into the town.
He expressed his pleasure at seeing Royall “getting on so nicely,” as he expressed it. Then he called in the nurse, and beckoned Daisie from the room.
Her heart gave a wild throb of joy, and she followed him eagerly, expecting to behold Dallas the very next moment.
CHAPTER XXI.
SHE LONGED FOR DEATH.
Daisie Bell followed the kindly old physician back to the little room where they had spoken together a while ago, her heart throbbing wildly, her eyes gleaming brightly, her color coming and going with the delightful anticipation of soon meeting her darling.
Doctor Burns held open the door, and she stepped eagerly across the threshold, flashing her eyes brightly around in search of Dallas Bain.
But the room was untenanted by the splendid form she had expected to see, and the old doctor said gently:
“I did not find Mr. Bain. He had gone away.”