A coyote howled somewhere in the darkness, a melancholy chorus joining in with long-drawn cadence. A shadow swept into the radius of dancing firelight.
“Is he conscious, Doctor?”
Fairbain drew back silently, and she dropped on her knees at Keith's side, bending low to look into his face.
“Hope—Hope.”
“Yes, dear, and you are going to live now—live for me.”
He found her hand, and held it, clasped within his own, his eyes wide open.
“I have never told you,” he said, softly, “how much I love you.”
She bent lower until her cheek touched his.
“No, Jack, but you may now.”
THE END