At the Time Appointed

When Dr. Bradley arrived he found Darrell in a state of coma from which

it was almost impossible to arouse him. From Mr. Underwood and his

sister he learned whatever details they could furnish, but from the

patient himself very little information could be obtained.

"He has this fever that is prevailing in the mountainous districts, and

has it in its worst form," he said, when about to take leave. "Of

course, having just come from the East, it would be worse for him in any

event than if he were acclimated; but aside from that, the cerebral

symptoms are greatly aggravated owing to the nervous shock which he

received last night. To witness an occurrence of that sort would be more

or less of a shock to nerves in a normal state, but in the condition in

which he was at the time, it is likely to produce some rather serious

complications. Follow these directions which I have written out, and

I'll be in again in a couple of hours."

But in two hours Darrell was delirious.

"Has he recognized any one since I was here?" Dr. Bradley inquired, as

he again stood beside the patient.

"I don't think so," Mrs. Dean replied. "I could hardly rouse him enough

to give him the medicine, and even then he didn't seem to know me."

"I'll be in about midnight," said the physician, as he again took leave,

"and I'll send a professional nurse, a man; this is likely to be a long

siege."

"Send whatever is needed," said Mr. Underwood, brusquely, "the same as

if 'twere for the boy himself!"

"And, Mrs. Dean," the physician continued, "if he should have a lucid

interval, you had better ascertain the address of his friends."

It was nearly midnight. For hours Darrell had battled against the

darkening shadows fast settling down upon him, enveloping him with a

horror worse than death itself. Suddenly there was a rift in the clouds,

and the calm, sweet light of reason stole softly through. He felt a cool

hand on his forehead, and, opening his eyes, looked with a smile into

the face of Mrs. Dean as she bent over him. Bending still lower, she

said, in low, distinct tones: "Can you tell me the name of your people, and where they live?"

In an instant he comprehended all that her question implied; he must

give his own name and the address of the far-away eastern home. He

strove to recall it, but the effort was too great; before he could

speak, the clouds surged together and all was blotted out in darkness.