Beulah - Page 290/348

The stars were waning, when Eugene moved, threw up his hand over the

pillow, and, after a moment, opened his eyes. Beulah leaned forward,

and he looked at her fixedly, as if puzzled; then said feebly: "Beulah, is it you?"

A cry of joy rolled to her lips; but she hushed it, and answered

tremblingly: "Yes, Eugene; it is Beulah."

His eyes wandered about the room, and then rested again on her

countenance, with a confused, perplexed expression.

"Am I at home? What is the matter?"

"Yes, Eugene; at home among your best friends. Don't talk any more;

try to sleep again." With a great joy in her heart she extinguished

the light, so that he could see nothing. After a few moments he said

slowly: "Beulah, did I dream I saw you? Beulah!" She felt his hand put out,

as if to feel for her.

"No; I am sitting by you, but will not talk to you now. You must

keep quiet."

There was a short silence.

"But where am I? Not at home, I know."

She did not reply, and he repeated the question more earnestly.

"You are in my house, Eugene; let that satisfy you."

His fingers closed over hers tightly, and soon he slept.

The sun was high in the sky when he again unclosed his eyes and

found Dr. Asbury feeling his pulse. His mind was still bewildered,

and he looked around him wonderingly.

"How do you feel, Graham?" said the doctor.

"Feel! as if I had been standing on my head. What is the matter with

me, doctor? Have I been sick?"

"Well--yes; you have not been exactly well, and feel stupid after a

long nap. Take a spoonful of this nectar I have prepared for you. No

wry faces, man! It will clear your head."

Eugene attempted to raise himself, but fell back exhausted, while,

for the first time, he noticed his arm firmly incased in wood and

bandages.

"What have you been doing to my arm? Why, I can't move it. I should-

-"

"Oh, don't trouble yourself, Graham; you injured it, and I bound it

up, that is all. When gentlemen amuse themselves with such gymnastic

feats as you performed, they must expect a little temporary

inconvenience from crushed bones and overstrained muscles. Beulah,

mind my directions about silence and quiet."

The doctor walked out to escape further questioning. Eugene looked

at his useless, stiffened arm and then at Beulah, saying anxiously: "What is the matter with me?"