Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/331

 Eletheer was the first to recover consciousness. She opened her eyes, looked around in a dazed manner, sat up and took hold of Watson's arm. He had interposed his brawny form so that her glance might not first rest on the now stiffening body of Elisha.

"Hello, my girl! Just hold up a bit. Miss Genung is coming around all right. See, she's squirmin' now."

Eletheer looked. "Yes, Mary was not killed but where is Elisha?" she asked, now fully herself.

"Well ye see, my girl, he—well I'll be doggoned, I reckon God Almighty knows best!"

"Is he dead?"

"Well ye see—"

"Yes, I see," she said, pushing him aside and laying her hand over Elisha's heart. No pulsation there, and only too well did she recognize the look that comes but once to the human countenance. She rebuttoned the shirt, passed her hand over his face, and folded those hands which had helped in so many ways.