Page 255 (1/1)

"Thank you," he said quietly; and then without more ado they moved side by side towards the room in which Bruce Cheniston had yielded up his life

Mrs Wood rose fro to her husband, who stood by the , to join her; and when they were alone Anstice and the girl so lately ed moved forward until they stood beside the bed on which Bruce Cheniston lay in all the white majesty of Death

A very brief examination satisfied Anstice that Iris had not beendown on the quiet face, which, by virtue of Death'sof its forned pity for the young life so ruthlessly cut short by a cruel disease

"Yes, Mrs Cheniston" He covered the dead white face gently "I aht Were you with hiain that oddly stricken look made his heart yearn pitifully over her

"He was conscious before the end?"

"I--I think so--at least, partly" Her tone was indefinable, desolation and a strange, half-hurt wonder sounding in its low note "He did not speak much--only a feords--at the end I don't think he knew me"

"I am sorry you were left alone," he said, and he ventured to lay his hand for a second gently on her arm "I wish I could have been back earlier I am afraid it has been a shock to you"

"Death is always a shock," she said quietly, and again a wintry little smile touched her lips "But--don't think lad I was alone with hireat a was a mystery to him, there was no doubt she had spoken in perfect sincerity; and in the midst of his inward turmoil Anstice found time to wonder exactly what she meant by this curious speech So the odd look which her face still held with the strange words she had used; and he wondered what had been the

"Mrs Cheniston"--Iris started as his voice fell on her ears--"you will co for you to do here And you should try to sleep----"