And surely if love, and nursing, and tender care were of any avail to save the life which at times seemed fluttering on the very verge of the grave, Ethelyn would live.

Nothing was spared which could avail to save her, and even the physician, who had all along done what he could, seemed to redouble his efforts when he ascertained who his patient was.
Great was the surprise, and numerous the remarks and surmises of the citizens, when it was whispered abroad that the strange woman lying so sick in the governor's house was no other than the governor's wife, about whom the people had speculated so much.

Nor was it long ere the news went to Camden, stirring up the people there, and bringing Mrs.
Miller at once to Davenport, where she stayed at a hotel until such time as she could be admitted to Ethelyn's presence.
Mrs.Markham, senior, was washing windows when Tim Jones brought her the letter bearing the Davenport postmark.

Melinda had purposely abstained from writing home until Richard came; and so the letter was in his handwriting, which his mother recognized at once.
"Why, it's from Richard!" she exclaimed.

"I thought he wouldn't stay long at Clifton.