"Don't you see the immediate necessity there is of my being in a position to care for you, Betty?
I wasn't served this trick for nothing." "You must try not to worry, Charley." "But I shall--I expect it's going to retard my recovery," said the young man gloomily.

"I couldn't be worse off! Here I am flat on my back; I can't come to you or keep watch over you.

Let me have some hope, dear--let me believe that you will marry me!" She looked at him pityingly, and with a certain latent tenderness in her mood.
"Do you really care so much for me, Charley ?" "I love you, Betty!--I want you to say you will marry me as soon as I can stand by your side--you're not going ?--I won't speak of this again if it annoys you, dear!" for she had risen.
"I must, Charley--" "Oh, don't--well, then, if you will go, I want Carrington to ride back with you." "But I brought George with me--" "Yes, I know, but I want you to take Carrington--the Lord knows what we are coming to here in West Tennessee; I must have word that you reach home safe." "Very well, then, I'll ask Mr.Carrington.

Good-by, Charley, dear!" Norton seemed to summon all his fortitude.
"You couldn't have done a kinder thing than come here, Betty; I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am--and as for my loving you--why, I'll just keep on doing that to the end.

I can see myself a bent, old man still pestering you with my attentions, and you a sweet, old lady with snow-white hair and pink cheeks, still obdurate--still saying no! Oh, Lord, isn't it awful!" He had lifted himself on his elbow, and now sank back on his pillow.
Betty paused irresolutely.
"Charley--" "Yes, dear ?" "Can't you be happy without me ?" "No." "But you don't try to be!" "No use in my making any such foolish effort, I'd be doomed to failure." "Good-by, Charley--I really must go--" He looked up yearningly into her face, and yielding to a sudden impulse, she stooped and kissed him on the forehead, then she fled from the room.
"Oh, come back--Betty--" cried Norton, and his voice rose to a wail of entreaty, but she was gone.