ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3282, 29 July 1911, Page 3

ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION.

(By L. T. Meade, author of “A Son

of Ishmael,” etc.)

CHAPTER X

AN URGENT MATTER.

Barbara ran downstairs. Ashley Mansions was within a stone’s throw of Harley street. In less than minutes she was standing on the steps of Dr. Tarbot’s house, and the door was immediately opened in answer to her ring. She asked’ if Dr. Tarbot was in. “Yes, miss,” replied the footman.. “I want to see him immediately.” The man invited her in. “What name shall I say?” lie asked. “Please say tliat Miss Evershed has called. S'ay also that my business is of an urgent nature.” The man showed Barbara into tne dining-room and withdrew. A moment later Tarbot entered! the room. He came forward! eagerly, his thin lips twitching, his eyes full of subdued light. “To what am I indebted for this pleasure?” he began. Barbara interrupted him. “I want to ask you a great favor, Dr. Tarbot.” “It is granted.” “Thank you. I wish to sit up with little Pairs to-night.” On hearing these words the expression on Tarbot’s face altered. “Are you mad?” he asked, looking full at the girl. “No; I am sane.” “Do you know anything whatever ol nursing?” “I don’t want to nurse —there is a professional nurse to do that. I want to stay with the child, to hold his hand, to be with him. It is unkind to leave him with strangers.” “Miss Evershed,” said Tarbot suddenly, “I would do much for you, you know that.” The look in the doctor’s eyes became eager, and Barbara shrank towards the door. “I would do much for you,” he continued, “but where my professional duties are concerned I have no choice. I would lather that the nurse had the entire care of Piers. Shall I tell you why ?” “Oh, I cannot see any reason for this,” said Barbara, clasping her hands. “Besides,” she added eagerly, “you allow Dick Pelham to he with him.” “Pelham is different. He has been with the boy from the first. It would be unkind to turn him out of the room, hut your face would be a fresh one. The child’s condition is most serious. Any extra excitement might stop the heart which is so dangerously affected.” “Can I not induce you to grqnt my request. Little Piers called out for mo when I went to the door just now — he heard my voice. Is not happiness good for sick people? Is not happiness, and a little bit of their own way, quite as valuable as your most potent drugs ? Oh, I believe such to be the case—l am sure lam right. Dr. Tarbot, do allow me to have my wish. It cannot possibly injure Piers for me to sit with him, and I am always quiet and never excitable. It would make him happy! Please grant my desire.” While Barbara spoke, the eager light in her eyes, the tremulous movement of her beautiful lips, her young figure all alive with the sympathy and longing which filled her soul, brought to Tarbot a moment of mad brief temptation. His own eyes glittered. He came close to the girl. “You want this favor badly?” he asked. “Yes.” “If I grant it will you do something for me?”

“Need you ask?” “I will grant your wish on a condition.”

Tarbot’s face grew white. He came still closer to Barbara.

“Well?” she asked impatiently. “If I allow you to sit with little Piers to-night will you—kiss me?” Barbara started. She staggered and caught a chair to steady herself. “Ail hour ago I thought you a good man,” she said at last slowly. “I was mistaken. I cannot sit up with Piers on those terms. Good night.” Tarbot quickly recovered himself. “Forgive me! Forgive me!” he cried. “I was mad 1 for a moment. It is your fault. Why are you so beautiful, so lovable? Oh, Barbara, you could have made a good man of me, and now I am”—lie breathed the words low—“a devil! But forgive me. Come, I will go hack with you. You shall have your wish. I grant it without any condition. I will; accompany you to Ashley Mansions and take you into the sick room.”

Barbara said nothing. Her first impulse was to go straight homo to her mother, but thoughts of Piers and! of the benefit she might do him caused her to. change her mind. She walked quickly back to Ashley Mansions with the surgeon,. neither of them speaking a word.

Mrs- Pelham was waiting by the draw-ing-room door.

“It is all right,” said Barbara, nodding to her. “Dr. Tarbot will allow me to sit with Piers to-night.” “Thank God!” answered Mrs Pelham. “I am greatly obliged to. you, doctor, for this. Barbara, dear, Dick

Ls upstairs. Ho arrived almost immediately after you left. There seems to I>@ some commotiop -in the sick room. [ heard steps hurrying about, but I am too frightened to go and inquire. Tell me quickly if anything is wrong.” Barbara nodded', and the doctor and the girl went upstairs When they reached the threshold of the room Tarbot turned and looked full at Barbara. “Will you forgive the impulse which came over me half-an-liour ago?” Barbara hesitated; then her words came out, very low. “I will—try.”* “Come this way.” Tarbot opened the door. The two passed beyond the screen. The .room was no longer dark —it was lit up with brilliance. Pelham and Nurse Ives were both standing by the bed. When Pelham saw Barbara he uttered a cry. Nurse Ives looked at the doctor and nodded to him to come forward.In the bed lay a little figure perfectly motionless, and as if carved in marble.