It was a false stimulus, and when the first
effects had passed away, it left you in this condition. Mr. Cumberland,
you must see him no more!"
But Joe Cumberland laughed long and softly.
"Life," he murmured, "ain't worth that much! Not half!"
"I can do no more than advise," said the doctor, as reserved as before.
"I cannot command."
"A bit peeved, doc?" queried the old man. "Well, sir, I know they ain't
much longer for me. Lord, man, I can feel myself going out like a flame
in a lamp when the oil runs up. I can feel life jest makin' its last few
jumps in me like the flame up the chimney. But listen to me----" he
reached out a long, large knuckled, claw-like hand and drew the doctor
down over him, and his eyes were earnest--"I got to live till I see 'em
standin' here beside me, hand in hand, doc!"
The doctor, even by that dim light, had changed colour. He passed his
hand slowly across his forehead.
"You expect to see that?"
"I expect nothin'. I only hope!"
The bitterness of Byrne's heart came up in his throat.
"It will be an oddly suited match," he said, "if they marry. But they
will not marry."
"Ha!" cried Cumberland, and starting up in bed he braced himself on a
quaking elbow. "What's that?"
"Lie down!" ordered the doctor, and pressed the ranchman back against
the pillows.
"But what d'you mean?"
"It would be a long story--the scientific explanation."
"Doc, where Dan is concerned I got more patience than Job.
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