Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/323

 When he did so it was without opening his eyes. With his eyes closed his first consciousness was that someone was watching him. He kept his eyes closed for a moment or two longer as if to make sure that his sense was right. With the surety that some eyes were staring at him he slowly opened his to see Lida standing over him.

"Oh, what a sleepy head! I thought you'd never wake."

"Why should I wake with such a sweet guard as you watching over me," he bantered.

"Yes, but I might have been someone else—some enemy."

"Never mind what might have been. It was you and I'm glad," Bennet said thankfully.

She seated herself beside him, placing her hand in his. Her face clouded. "I'm afraid I can't go with you tonight, Dear." Bennet's heart sank into a dungeon of gloom.

"I thought you'd realize I was bringing too much trouble on you."

"It's not that, Dear. I'm going, but not for a day or two. Daddy's not well. I think his mind's weakening," she explained sorrowfully.

Lida then related her experience of the morning when she met Colonel Lauriston and he failed to recognize her. "He's been woefully upset," she continued. "He hates to think of my loving you and marrying you. It has worried him so that I think his mind is breaking."

"Heart of Mine, even though we love as dearly as we do, I think we'd better separate—at least for a time.—Time, perhaps, will right things."