Recovering somewhat from the shock, Mary rose and went to the crumpled
form of her deliverer, to see if anything could be done. The ball had
pierced his back, but perhaps.....
Raising his upper body carefully, she drew him clear of the other.
Then kneeling, she slowly laid him down, causing the fair, curly head
to loll weakly into her lap. She let out a gasp as a familiar face
looked up at her, and said her name with a smile.
"My Mary."
It was James Talbert, her cousin, and companion of her youth. And
though he lay dying, there was yet a look of strained happiness on his
worn, still boyish face.
"James!" she choked through her tears. "You should have just let
them..... Oh. Don't die!"
"Hush, my girl. I don't mind." His words were quiet but distinct. "You
don't know it---" His face clouded with pain, and for a time he was
unable to speak.
"You've done me a kindness," he said finally. "You've given my death
meaning." With this he stiffened, and gave a convulsive shudder. She
feared he was already gone; but after a pause the blue eyes opened
again, and he spoke.
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