Page:Pacific Monthly volumes 9 and 10.djvu/35

 ington, as you know, and they went with it. The waves were rough and the boatman advised their deferring their trip; but they did not seem to fear the waves. The boat has been found, empty, but — "

Adele's slight frame relaxed and she was sinking to the floor when we caught her, and Uncle Max carried her to my room. It was only after many days and nights of watching that we ever hoped for her life and reason. Gradually her strength came back, but not till long after we knew that the treacherous waters of Lake Washington would never give up her dead.

One evening in late September, Adele, Uncle Max and I were sitting on our gallery overlooking the myriad lights of the city below, when Adele began to sing — the first time since her illness. I marveled that so frail a body could house a voice like hers. Notes so low and deep and melancholy, so divinely tender. She seemed scarcely to belong to earth. No wonder Uncle Max*s big handkerchief went to his eyes, and the tears ran unheeded down

"—Standing almost hidden by the folds of a portiere"