CHAPTER XIV.
PHEBE'S GOOD-BY.
When was it Phebe first fell ill?
No one knew.

Mr.Hardcastle had kept cautiously out of her way this long time past, but nobody else suspected that the brilliant cheeks and eyes which shone like stars were telltales of a hidden fire burning her life away.

The fever was abating in the village.

The doctors declared the epidemic virtually over, and mutually congratulated each other upon the success of their measures.

Mr.
Hardcastle returned to the sidewalks; Mr.Upjohn brought back Maria; Miss Lydia said death had spared her this once, but next time it would be her turn to go; Mrs.Lane said she needn't make her will yet for all that; and everybody said how very much worse the fever would have been in any less peculiarly healthy spot than Joppa.