Would she die? Must he give her up? Was there
yet no brightness, no happiness in the world for her, whose life had
been one of sacrifice and toil? He could not think so, and all his soul
went out in one continuous prayer: "Don't let Bessie die."
All day she lay motionless as the dead, scarcely lifting even an eyelid,
or showing that she was conscious of what was passing around her, save
when her mother's low, moaning cry, "Bessie, oh, Bessie, I cannot give
you up," sounded through the room. Then she moved uneasily, and said:
"Don't, mother, please; God knows best. He will care for you--and
you--you--will keep your promise?"
"Yes, child; so help me God!" Daisy answered, excitedly. "I promised you
to be a better woman, and I will; but oh, my Heavenly Father, don't let
Bessie die."
It was the echo of Grey's prayer, and Flossie took it up and made it
hers, and so the day wore on and the night stole into the quiet room,
and it was time for Grey to say good-by, for he was to leave on the
early train, and he had yet much to do in settling bills both for
himself and Daisy, and providing for her needs in case Neil did not
come.
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