Struggling for breath, he sprang up in his bed, and instinctively snatched the handbell at his side.

He was hardly aware of ringing it, so great was his agony--but presently, regaining a glimmering sense of consciousness, he found Mary's arms round him, and saw Mary's eyes looking tenderly into his own.
"David, dear David!" And the sweet voice was shaken by tears.
"David!--Oh, my poor dear, don't you know me ?" Know her?
In the Valley of the Shadow what other Angel could there be so faithful or so tender! He sighed, leaning heavily against her bosom.
"Yes, dear--I know you!" he gasped, faintly.

"But--I am very ill--dying, I think! Open the window--give me air!" She laid his head gently back on the pillow, and ran quickly to throw open the lattice.

In that same moment, the dog Charlie, who had followed her downstairs from her room, jumped on the bed, and finding his master's hand lying limp and pallid outside the coverlet, fawned upon it with a plaintive cry.

The cool sea-air rushed in, and Helmsley's sinking strength revived.