“Was he expected by his family?”

“They were merely informed, by a telegram, that he was on his way.  He is not so well as when he started.  Naturally he is worse for the journey.  Moreover, he used these words, ’I felt that I was going to be ill and wished to get home.’”

“Has a physician seen him yet?”

“Yes, I brought their family physician in the hack, which I had kept waiting.  He fears that it will be some time before his patient is out again.  I have never been seriously ill myself, but I am sure—­I mean, I have heard—­that a few words often have great influence in aiding one in Strahan’s condition to triumph over disease.  It is often a question of will and courage, you know.  I will take a note to him if you wish.  Poor fellow! he may have his biggest fight on hand while the others are resting in winter quarters.”

“I shall be only too glad to avail myself of your offer.  Please excuse me a moment.”

When she returned he saw traces of tears in her eyes.  She asked, eagerly, “Will you see him often?”

“I shall call daily.”

“Would it be too much trouble for you to let me know how he is, should he be very seriously ill?” Then, remembering that this might lead to calls more frequent than she was ready to receive, or than he would find it convenient to make, she added:  “I suppose you are often down town and might leave word with papa at his office.  I have merely a formal acquaintance with Mrs. Strahan and her daughters, and, if Mr. Strahan should be very ill, I should have to rely upon you for information.”

“I shall make sure that you learn of his welfare daily until he is able to write to you, and I esteem it a privilege to render you this service.”

He then bowed and turned away, and she did not detain him.  Indeed, her mind was so absorbed by her friend’s danger that she could not think of much else.

The next day a note, addressed to Mr. Vosburgh, was left at his office, giving fuller particulars of Strahan’s illness, which threatened to be very serious indeed.  High fever had been developed, and the young soldier had lost all intelligent consciousness.  Days followed in which this fever was running its course, and Merwyn’s reports, ominous in spite of all effort to disguise the deep anxiety felt by Strahan’s friends, were made only through Mr. Vosburgh.  Marian began to regret her suggestion that the information should come in this way, for she now felt that Merwyn had received the impression that his presence would not be agreeable.  She was eager for more details and oppressed with the foreboding that she would never see her light-hearted friend again.  She was almost tempted to ask Merwyn to call, but felt a strange reluctance to do so.

“I gave him sufficient encouragement to continue his visits,” she thought, “and he should distinguish between the necessity of coming every day and the privilege of coming occasionally.”