come myself, willingly, and bring the answer, woman though I am."
"Did you know that Paul Strogoff was stricken down today?" said Connors.
"Is it so?" she said, in utmost sadness. "Death loves a shining mark."
"Good-bye," said Connors. "God grant we soon may meet again, under happier and safer conditions."
They separated, each filled with mighty anxiety for the other, but each too truly great and noble to allow personal longing to interfere with the stern duty of the hour. But it was not many months before their unselfishness was rewarded with a happiness of pure and gentle nature.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE LAWYER SURRENDERS.
Among those who felt the touch of the awful disease was Edward Salmon, the lawyer. For days it had its strong clutch upon him, but he battled bravely, and Marie and Milton were tireless in their tender care and solicitude. Most of the time he lay in fevered unconsciousness, not recognizing those by whom he was surrounded. Often death approached so near at hand that Marie shuddered in dread, and Milton was full of grief on her account. At length, however, the struggle ended in victory, and Edward Salmon lived.
