Beryl's Triumph by Eglanton Thorne

THE stillness of night had fallen on Egloshayle House. All the household had retired to rest save two, who were sitting up for Beryl's sake. Hettie Burton sat beside the bed in the dimly-lighted room. Beryl had not recognised her since her coming. The child was muttering to herself whilst her head tossed restlessly on the pillow. Her nurse bent over her and bathed her head, uttering gentle, soothing words, which Beryl seemed not to hear. Yet gradually, as she continued her loving services, the child grew quieter. She moved less often, her talking ceased, her breathing became more regular, and at last, with deep thankfulness, Miss Burton saw that she slept.

She dared not leave her place, lest the least movement should disturb the sleeper. Sleep was so good for the child.

Beryl slept for nearly an hour. Then she opened her eyes and looked calmly at her governess. Short as had been her slumber, its beneficent influence was plain. Delirium had ceased; there was recognition in the glance of content which rested on Miss Burton's face.

"Miss Burton," she whispered in a faint, weak voice, "you won't leave me, will you? You won't go away?"

"No, no, darling; I will not leave you," said Miss Burton, bending to give her some jelly. "Now take this and then close your eyes, and try to sleep again, whilst I watch beside you."

"But you won't go away," repeated the child; "because if you do, they will put me in the water; they mean to, I know."

"No, my darling, I will not leave you," Miss Burton assured her; "no one shall put you into the water; I will take care of you."

Beryl looked satisfied. Her nurse arranged her pillows more comfortably, and in a few moments Beryl's eyes again closed, and her quiet, regular breathing showed that she was sound asleep. Miss Burton stepped lightly to the door and opened it. Slight as was the sound, Mr. Hollys heard it, and came from the next room.

"How is she? " he asked fearfully.

"Better, really better, I believe," replied Miss Burton in a low voice. "She is fast asleep; come and look at her."

Mr. Hollys followed her into the room, and tears rushed to his eyes at the sight of Beryl peacefully sleeping. He sat down at one side of the bed and Miss Burton at the other, and together they thus watched the child for several hours, till Beryl woke, weak and helpless as a baby, but without fever and free from delusions.

Yet the days which followed were anxious ones. There was fear lest the child should slip away from life through sheer exhaustion. She needed the utmost care; and now it was that Miss Burton's capacity as a nurse was fully tested. But for her constant watching and unwearying devotion, Beryl's illness might have ended otherwise than it did. But her governess was ever at hand to administer medicine or nourishment just when they were needed, ready, too, with wise and loving words to soothe the nervous depression which troubled the child, to whom weakness and weariness were such strange experiences.

"Do you think I am really getting better, Miss Burton? " Beryl asked one day. "I feel just as weak as ever. You don't think I shall die, do you? I hope it's not wicked of me, but I don't want to die. I would so much rather get well and live with papa."

Mr. Hollys, who was sitting at the further side of the bed, half-hidden by the curtain, leaned forward and looked anxiously at his child as she said this, but Miss Burton replied cheerfully, "It is not wicked, dear; but only right that you should wish to get well. You are stronger, although you may not feel it yet. You have a better pulse, and there is a tinge of colour stealing back into your cheeks. Yes, you are getting on."

"I am so glad," said Beryl with a smile. "I have been trying to think about the kingdom; but my head is so stupid that I cannot remember anything properly. I can't even say that text, 'Suffer little children to come unto Me."

"Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God," said Hattie Burton. "Don't be surprised that you forget things, dear; it is always so after such an illness as yours, and you will soon get the better of it, and find everything coming back to you."

"Of such is the kingdom of God," repeated Beryl. "That does not mean that the kingdom is for children only, does it, Miss Burton?"

"No, dear; that would be a sad thing for most of us," she replied with a smile; "it means that it is a kingdom of childlike, true, and loving spirits, and it is only by becoming like a little child that any one can enter therein."

"Miss Burton," said Beryl softly, forgetful of her father's presence, "I wish papa were in the kingdom. Do you think he ever will be?"

There was a sudden uneasy movement behind the curtain.