ed Lenore. "Kurt's not going to die."

"But they all say so. That funny little doctor yesterday--he made me
tired--but he said so. I heard him as dad put him into the car."

"Yes, Kathie, I heard him, too, but I do not believe," replied Lenore,
dreamily.

"Kurt doesn't look so--so sick," went on Kathleen. "Only--only I don't
know what--different, I guess. I'm crazy to go in--to see him. Lenore,
will they ever let me?"

Their father's abrupt entrance interrupted the conversation. He was
pale, forceful, as when issues were at stake but were undecided.

"Kathie, go out," he said.

Lenore rose to face him.

"My girl--Dorn's come to--an' he's asked for you. I was for lettin' him
see you. But Lowell an' Jarvis say no--not yet.... Now he might die any
minute. Seems to me he ought to see you. It's right. An' if you say
so--"

"Yes," replied Lenore.

"By Heaven! He shall see you, then," said Anderson, breathing hard. "I'm
justified even--even if it..." He did not finish his significant speech,
but left her abruptly.

Presently Lenore was summoned. When she left her room she was in the
throes of uncontrolled agitation, and all down the long hallway she
fought herself. At the half-open door she paused to lean against the
wall. There she had the will to still her nerves, to acquire serenity;
and she prayed for wisdom to make her presence and her words of infinite
good to Dorn in this crisis.

* * * * *

She was not aware of when she moved--how she ever got to Dorn's bedside.
But seemingly detached from her real self, serene, with emotions locked,
she was there looking down upon him.

"Lenore!" he said, with far-off voice that just reached her. Gladness
shone from his shadowy eyes.

"Welcome home--my soldier boy!" she replied. Then she bent to kiss his
cheek and to lay hers beside it.

"I never--hoped--to see you--again," he went on.

"Oh, but I knew!" murmured Lenore, lifting her head. His right hand,
brown, bare, and rough, lay outside the coverlet upon his breast. It was
weakly reaching for her. Lenore took it in both hers, while she gazed
steadily down into his eyes. She seemed to see then how he was comparing
the image he had limned upon his memory with her face.

"Changed--you're older--more beautiful--yet the same," he said. "It
seems--long ago."

"Yes, long ago. Indeed I am older. But--all's well that ends well. You
are back."

"Lenore, haven't you--been told--I can't