Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- OHAPTER XVI. ON CHRISTMAS-EVE. “And there is nO hope, Dr. Sinclair ?” . “While there’s life there is hope, Miss Mallory.” ~~" Helen Mallory turned round from the window with a smile upon her pale face—a smile very sad to see. . “{ think I know what that means—the old formula. Well, doctor, I am glad I know my fate. I thank you for your can- «dor. How long will this fleeting flame of life last ?” . “Tmpossible to say with any certainty, my dear Miss Mal- Jory... Life is sometimes, prolonged indefinitely in these cases, sometimes goes out like the snuff of a candle. Let us hope . - you may have many happy years before you yet. Don’t dis- _ tress yourself by dwelling upon what you have forced me to gay. You may outlive the best of us.” Pe ae Helen Mallory smiled—that faint, melancholy _ smi e. They were alone together—doctor | and. patient—in the F eesaeat drawing-room of the Chelsea home. 1 oy » =P i Bar Sree my fate, and | have looked upon death before now with a quiet eye. I will not detain you longer. Permit me to thank you once more for your candor, and—good morn- Se tae? a is The doctor departed. Gielen dat See alone. her thin Randa | folded in her lap, her large, brown, melancholy eyes fixed on the quiet, sunlit street. to earth. Death and the grave have little terror for me, and ~ yet—poor Hstella—it is hard to leave her alone and unpro- tected in this big, bad world. - There is Norah, of course; but. Tt had hoped to see her in the safe shelter of a loving ‘hus- band’s arms. My poor little Essie! She, too, has been learn- * ing life’s bitterness of late. I almost “wich ‘Alucyn Bartram had never come here. I almost wish I had not written last 3 week to ask him again. Is it you, Norah? Come in.’ ae There had been a rap at the door. It opened, and Norah. a aaa with three letters and a paper in her hand. i: af? ‘“Postman’s been, ma’am. I saw Dr. Sinclair go away. ae at does: he say, Miss Helen ?” poke abruptly, not looking at her mistress. — But “You are very good, Dr. Sinclair. I am not in the least _ distressed. I have few ties to bind me to life. I have long “So,” she thought, with a strange calm, “TI avi the worst | ot am to die. Well, as I said, there are fe ties to bind me. ies Se > was. Easy. calm, —_ (E(0) mM, ; Pi SS > ae Se P o >- és, 3 7 , 7 ~ : ps > xh 3 ar, aes ue ; ny 3 a“ ad * 4 ~~ 4 ba i * a : “COMIC 200 Ks