On the Brink of a Chasm

Excerpt:'Mrs. Pelham was waiting by the drawing-room door.'It is all right,'said Barbara, nodding to her.'Dr. Tarbot will allow me to stay with Piers to-night.''Thank God!'answered Mrs. Pelham.'I am greatly obliged to you, doctor, for this. Barbara, dear, Dick is up-stairs. He arrived almost immediately after you left. There seems to be some commotion in the sick-room. I heard steps hurrying about, but I am too frightened to go and inquire. Go and tell me quickly if anything is wrong.'Barbara nodded, and the girl and the doctor went up-stairs. When they reached the threshold of the room Tarbot turned and looked full at Barbara.'Say that you forgive the impulse which came over me half an hour ago.'Barbara hesitated; then her words came out, very low.'I will—try.''Come this way.'Tarbot opened the door. The two passed beyond the screen. The room was no longer dark—it was lit up with brilliance. Pelham and Nurse Ives were both standing by the bed. When Pelham saw Barbara he uttered a cry. Nurse Ives looked at the doctor and nodded to him to come forward. In the bed lay a little figure perfectly motionless, and as if carved in marble.'