"
"Say, what's happened to you? It can't be those clothes and a
little bronze on your face....Dick, you're older--you've changed.
You're not so thickly built. By Gad, if you don't look fine!"
"Thanks. I'm sorry I can't return the compliment. You're about
the seediest, hungriest-looking fellow I ever saw....Say, old man,
you must have had a tough time."
A dark and somber fire burned out the happiness in Thorne's eyes.
"Dick, don't make me--don't let me think of that fiend Rojas!....I'm
here now. I'll be well in a day or two. Then!..."
Mercedes came in, radiant and soft-voiced. She fell upon her knees
beside Thorne's bed, and neither of them appeared to see Nell enter
with a tray. Then Gale and Nell made a good deal of unnecessary
bustle in moving a small table close to the bed. Mercedes had
forgotten for the moment that her lover had been a starving man.
If Thorne remembered it he did not care. They held hands and
looked at each other without speaking.
"Nell, I thought I had it bad," whispered Dick. "But I'm not--"
"Hush. It's beautiful," replied Nell, softly; and she tried to coax
Dick from the room.
Dick, however, thought he ought to remain at least long enough
to tell Thorne that a man in his condition could not exist solely
upon love.
Mercedes sprang up blushing with pretty, penitent manner and
moving white hands eloquent of her condition.
"Oh, Mercedes--don't go!" cried Thorne, as she stepped to the door.
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