like the intoxication of rare wine, of sweet, subtle perfume,
until at last, in secret, she confessed to herself that she loved him.
She thought of nothing but that she loved Jack with all the strength and
fervor of her despairing soul, and the only barrier between them
was--Jessie.

To make matters all the worse, the sick girl made a confidante of her,
and would talk to her for long hours at a time over her approaching
marriage--that is, if she should recover.

Every word she said was like the sharp thrust of a sword to Dorothy; but
day by day Dorothy could not help but notice the terrible change that
was taking place in Jessie Staples.

Every afternoon her couch was drawn to the bay-window. She liked to be
propped up where she could look out into the sunlit garden, with its
green foliage and bright-hued flowers; for it was in the garden that
Jack could be seen, pacing up and down under the trees, smoking his
afternoon cigar.

She would always call for Jack when she saw him, and when he came into
the room she would hold out her arms to him with a strange, low cry.

He would always kneel down by her side, talk to her, try to cheer her.
Sleep would never come to her unless he sat by her side, holding her
hands in his.

It was with great relief that Mr. Garner heard at length that Doctor
Crandall was so much better that he would visit Jessie the next
afternoon.

When he came Doctor Kendal took him at once to the sick-room, and there
they held a long and secret consultation.

"I am obliged to say, sir, that I shall have to abandon the case," said
Kendal. "I am completely dumbfounded with it. I have most carefully
followed out your every suggestion, and yet the patient fails rapidly
before my eyes day after day."

Doctor Crandall looked thoughtful.

When he left Jessie's couch he found Mr. Garner awaiting him in the
library.

"What do you think of her, sir?" he asked, quickly.

"There is not much the matter," he replied; "a good tonic, rest, and a
little cheerful society will soon set the young lady right again."

"It is the first time that you have seen her, doctor," said Jack, rather
dubiously. "You never saw her in health, sir. You do not know how
alarmingly she has changed for the worse. She had a brilliant color, but
it has all gone."

"It will soon return," said the doctor, encouragingly; and with a few
further words he left Jack, more mystified than ever.

For forty odd years he had enjoyed a lar