Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/295

 " Say, feller — " said Teeters, hoping to rouse him.

Only MuUendore's faint breathing told them that he was living.

Mrs. Taylor laid her hand upon his damp forehead and withdrew it quickly.

" The po-oo-or soul! I'll sing something."

" It might help to git ong rapport with the sperrits," agreed Teeters.

As Mrs. Taylor droned a familiar camp-meeting hymn, MuUendore opened his eyes and looked at her dully:

" Who are you? " he whispered.

Mrs. Taylor quavered, " IVe come to bring the Truth to you."

Mullendore looked at her, uncomprehending.

Teeters thrust himself in the sick man^s line of vision and elucidated:

" Feller, I'm sorry to tell you you ain't goin' to * make the grade ' — they's no possible show fur you — an' Mis' Taylor here, who's a personal friend, you might say, of all the leadin' sperrits in the Sperrit World, has come to kind of prepare you — "

MuUendore's lips moved with an effort:

" There ain't nothin' after this."

"Oh, my!" Teeters ejaculated in a shocked voice. " Don't say heathen things like that ! If you'd seen half of what I've saw you couldn't nowise doubt."

" There ain't no hell — there ain't no comin' back." The voice was stronger, and querulous.

Teeters wagged his head in horrified reproach.

" Mis' Taylor, do you think the sperrits are goin' to take holt?"

Turning to the lady who hoped to be his mother-in-law, Teeters's eyes started in his head. He was familiar with weird gyrations of the kitchen table, and messages re-