They Looked and Loved; Or, Won by Faith — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
They Looked and Loved; Or, Won by Faith
John Stuart Mill · en
"God help me to save him," she prayed aloud, for the heavy body resisted
her efforts, and she was distinctly conscious of as strong a yearning to
save this man's life as though he had been a beloved friend of long,
long years.
A happy thought came to her, and, dragging the strong woolen shawl from
her head, she passed it with difficulty under his body, knotting the
long ends on his breast. Just then another strong wave engulfed them.
Clinging to the end of the shawl, she bent down and let it rush and roar
above them, with its thunder of sound, and almost resistless fury of
force.
With her whole heart uplifted in prayer, Nita grasped the ends of the
shawl, and slowly, wearily, but determinedly, dragged the heavy form of
her companion far up the beach; and within the gates of her home, where
she sank down, exhausted, and gazed anxiously into his unconscious face,
her heart convulsed by an agonizing yearning that he might live.
But the features remained still and lifeless, the broad breast did not
heave with the faintest sign of life. She noted even then with the eyes
of an artist his wonderful beauty.
"Oh, the pity of it that one so beautiful should die like this," she
sobbed, and laid her hand caressingly upon his brow. Then she started as
from a trance, and withdrew her hand from his brow, sobbing under her
breath: "It is better that you died, for if you had lived you would have
lured my heart away!"
She shivered as the keen breeze swept over her drenched form, bearing
with it the intoxicating scent of June flowers blooming riotously in the
neglected gardens, and rising wearily, she toiled up to the house and
aroused the servants.
They gazed at her in amazement when she briefly explained the situation,
and commanded them to bring the unconscious man into the house, and send
for a doctor.
When the man-servant and the housekeeper had brought the dripping form
and laid it on a bed, the woman cried out in wonder:
"What a strange thing! Why, I know this young man, Miss Farnham! He is
Mr. Dorian Mountcastle."
And the pale young creature, leaning over the pillow, looked at her with
dark, eager eyes, and murmured:
"Is he dead? Do you think that he is dead?"
"The Lord knows, honey; he looks like it, that's certain. But we can
tell better when the doctor comes. Now do you go right up to your room,
please, and get some dry clothes on before you catch your death of cold,
while we tend to the young man," pushing her gently toward the door.
Nita threw one long look of mute despair upon Dorian Mountcastle's still
and beautiful face, with the long, dark lashes lying so heavily upon the
death-white cheeks, and moved silently out of the room, dragging herself
wearily up the stairs, encumbered by her dripping wet garments, that
left little rills of salt-water wherever she moved.
As she went along the dim corridor to her room her lips moved ever so
slightly. She was whispering:
"Dorian! Dorian! What a soft, sweet name!"