“Demar, why do you stare at me that way?”
“I am full of astonishment to witness such a lack of self-confidence in one possessing such unlimited knowledge of medical science as I know you do.”
It did not require the eye of science to see that death would soon step in to relieve the sufferer, unless she could be speedily relieved by other means. This fact was now patent to Edward Demar, who was so completely crazed with grief that he sank down by Lottie, and gave way to despair.
“Oh! Edward!” cried Lottie as she threw out both arms as if she were feeling for him, “where are you? I do believe I am going blind, for I cannot see you.”
Lottie was then seized with a frightful spasm that lasted five or six minutes, which, when it passed off, left her in a state of exhaustion. Her hands and feet became icy cold, while her throat and lungs were burning up with unnatural heat.
Captain Quitman, who had just heard of Lottie’s dangerous illness, came hurriedly into the room to make inquiries.
“How is she?”
“Bad enough. She will die inside of two hours unless a radical change sets in very soon.”
“Great Providence forbid!” exclaimed the kind-hearted man. “What is the matter with her?”
“Don’t know.”