Kate Vernon

Kate stood a moment transfixed as nurse''s awful words met her ear her eyes riveted on her grandfather but the repose of his face almost reassured her and stepping back from Mrs. O''Toole''s encircling arms she exclaimed hurriedly angrily but in carefully subdued tones— Be silent nurse! do not terrify me with such strange words—see he is asleep! Nurse''s only reply was a burst of tears as she laid her hand upon that of the Colonel the fingers of which gently grasped the arm of the chair. Kate now bent down to kiss his cheek—but shrunk back from the icy touch.