She softly closed the door, and the man went obediently
to do her bidding; while, “after the storm there
was a great calm” in his heart.
Interesting developments.
Phillip Stanley sped across the street to do his errand
and inquired for Katherine.
She heard his voice and went directly to him when
he told her what her mother had just said about Dorrie,
and the light that leaped into her great brown eyes
inspired him with fresh hope.
“Ah! mamma is holding her in the ‘secret
place,’ and we know she is safe,” she
said, in a reverent tone.
She quickly brought the wrapper; then, with a brief
handclasp, he bade her “good-night” and
retraced his steps.
Before going upstairs he sought the kitchen, where
the cook was lingering, thinking something might be
needed, and ordered a dainty lunch prepared; then,
taking both tray and garment, he left them at Dorrie’s
door and passed on to the next room to find his sister
just waking.
“Phillip!” she cried, starting up, “I
have been asleep!”
“Yes, Emelie, for more than three hours, I am
glad to say.”
“Oh, how inconsiderate of me! And—Dorrie?”
she questioned, in a quavering voice.
“Is more comfortable. She has been awake
twice, and had two glasses of milk,” replied
her brother, as he laid a gentle, but restraining
hand upon her shoulder, for she was on the point of
rising.
She regarded him wonderingly.
“Phillip! I can’t believe it!
I must go to her,” she said, almost breathless.
“No; Mrs. Minturn is going to remain all night.
She says she is not to be disturbed, and we must respect
her wishes,” said Dr. Stanley, authoritatively.
“She will call you if you are needed, but says
she wants us both to rest, if possible. Now lie
down again, dear, and I will sit in the Morris chair
in the hall, to be near if you wish to speak to me.”
Mrs. Seabrook sat irresolute a moment, her eyes anxious
and yearning.
“Emelie, you have voluntarily given Dorrie into
God’s hands; now prove that you trust Him,”
her companion gravely admonished.
She looked up at him and smiled.
“Yes, I will; and I believe that ’His
hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His
ear heavy that it cannot hear,’” she replied,
and immediately lay back upon her pillow.
Her brother covered her with a shawl, then left her
with a thankful heart, for he knew she was sadly in
need of rest.
Going to his room, he secured his copy of “Science
and Health,” and, retracing his steps, settled
himself to read by the table in the hall, which was
often used as a sitting room.
As he sat down he observed that Mrs. Minturn’s
wrapper and the tray had disappeared; then he became
absorbed in his book.
The next he knew a hand was laid softly on his shoulder,
and, starting erect, he saw that a new day was just
breaking and Mrs. Minturn standing beside him, looking
as fresh and serene as if she had just come from hours
of sweet repose instead of from a long night’s
vigil.
