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She did not reply, but only clung to him tightly, and against his cheek he felt her
tears and a little choking sob before she relaxed, and he laid her back again on
her pillow. He thought she was dead then and he called the nurse, but she still
breathed, though her eyes were closed. Jimmy sat down on the edge of the bed
beside her and stroked her hand. After a while she roused again and opened her
eyes.
"
Jimmy," she said, "will you stay with me until I go?" The man could make no
articulate response, but he pressed her hand reassuringly. She was silent again
for some time. Once more she whispered faintly, so faintly that he had to lean
close to catch her words:
"
Miss Holden," she whispered, "she is a--good girl. It is--she--who hired--the
attorney for you. Go to her--Jimmy--when I--am gone--she loves--you." Again
there was a long pause.
"
Good-by--Jimmy," she whispered at last.
The nurse was standing at the foot of the bed. She came and put her hand on
Jimmy's shoulder. "It is too bad," she said; "she was such a good girl."
"Yes," said Jimmy, "I think she was the best little girl I ever knew."
It was after nine o'clock when Jimmy, depressed and sorrowing, arrived at the
Holden home. The houseman who admitted him told him that Mr. Holden had
been called out, but that Miss Holden was expecting him, and he ushered Jimmy
to the big living-room, and to his consternation he saw that Elizabeth Compton
was there with Harriet. The latter came forward to greet him, and to his surprise
the other girl followed her.
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