Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/71

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THE STRAND MAGAZINE.

By J. Laurence Hornibrook.

"DOCTOR," said the sick woman, with sudden eagerness, turning her wasted, bloodless face towards him, "how long have I to live?"

"Tut, tut, were not going to talk of dying just yet," he replied, evasively, as he held up a small phial to the light, and let the liquid trickle slowly into a glass. "You mustn't give way like this, you know. It does no earthly good. Keep up a stouter heart, and vou may pull through it all right."

"No," she answered, calmly, "I'm dying, and you know it! My time is short—you need not shake your head—this is my last night on carth. You'll see I'm not mistaken; I feel that death is near. And to tell the truth," she added, with a bitter smile, "I wouldnt have it otherwise, even if I was given the choice!"


"He held up a small phial to the light."

She lay back wearily, and closed her eyes.

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