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That night the crescent ht

Joan could see the blanched face of Kells, strange and sad, no

longer see evil The time came when his lips stirred He tried

to talk She ave hiain into a stupor, to rouse once --so long that

sleep was clai very

faintly but distinctly: "Water! Water!"

Joan bent over hi him to drink She

could see his eyes, like dark holes in so white

"Is--that--you--mother?" he whispered

"Yes," replied Joan

He sank immediately into another stupor or sleep, from which he did

not rouse That whisper of his--mother--touched Joan Bad men had

mothers just the same as any other kind ofman He had been youth, boy, child,

baby Some mother had loved hiroith pride and glory, built castles in her

drea he

was strong and honored a for a wicked act, the last of edy It made Joan think of the hard lot of mothers, and then of