toiled at their work, Margaret noting with
delighted wonder the quick fingers and the finished skill that
cleansed and probed and dressed the wound in the head and made thorough
examination for other injury or ill, Barney keenly conscious of the
efficiency of the silent, steady helper at his side whose quick eye and
hand anticipated his every want. At length their work was done and they
stood looking down upon the haggard face.

"He is resting now," said Barney, in a low voice. "The fracture is not
serious, I think."

"Poor Dick," said Margaret, passing her hand over his brow.

At her touch and voice Dick moaned and opened his eyes. Barney quickly
stepped back out of sight. For a moment or two the eyes wandered about
the room, then rested on Margaret's face in a troubled, inquiring gaze.

"What is it, Dick, dear?" said Margaret, bending over him.

For answer his hand began to move feebly toward his breast as if seeking
something.

"I know. The letter, Dick?" A look of intelligence lighted the eye.
"That's all right, Dick. I shall get it to Barney. Barney is here, you
know."

A hand grasped her arm. "Hush!" said Barney in stern command. "Say
nothing about me." But she heeded him not. For a moment longer the sick
man's gaze lingered on her face. A faint smile of content overspread the
drawn features, then the look of intelligence faded and the eyes closed
wearily.

"Come," said Barney, moving toward the door, "he is better quiet."

Leaving the nurse in charge, they went together toward the office.

"Where did you find him?" asked Margaret as she gave Barney a seat. Then
Barney told her the story of how he had chanced upon the canoe and had
discovered Dick lying insensible in the woods.

"It was God's leading, Barney," said Margaret gently, when the story
was done; but to this he made no reply. "Is there serious danger, do you
think?" she inquired in an anxious voice.

"He will recover," replied Barney. "All he requires is careful nursing,
and that you can give him. I shall wait till to-morrow."

"To-morrow? And then?"

"I am leaving this country next week."

"Leaving the country? And why?"

"My work here is done."

"Surely there is much yet to do, and you have just begun to do such
great things. Why should you leave now?"

Barney waited a few moments in silence as if pondering an answer.
"Margaret, I must go," he finally burst forth. "You know I must go. I
can't live within touch of him and forget!