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Jan. 22nd, 2007 10:17 pmTwo more days, and the door won't open to the bar, no matter what he tries, even for his Security badge.
Two more days, and Lucille's fever climbs higher. The doctor from the village wants to bleed her, until Sharpe throws him out... but that just leaves him with no help at all, and nothing he can do works.
He tries every remedy he's ever heard of, before and after the doctor leaves. Quinine. Gunpowder mixed with brandy, in memory of Jack Spears. And, finally, in desperation, because it's been too long with no change, he tries the way Patrick Harper once saved his life - a cold water bath.
The chance does not pay off.
And in the end, Sharpe is left sitting by the deathbed of a third woman he's loved, squeezing her hand between both his, though she's been delirious for the last day, and listening to her breathing slow and stop.
The next time he tries the barn door, not really hoping to ever get back to the bar, it's not the barn he sees.
Two more days, and Lucille's fever climbs higher. The doctor from the village wants to bleed her, until Sharpe throws him out... but that just leaves him with no help at all, and nothing he can do works.
He tries every remedy he's ever heard of, before and after the doctor leaves. Quinine. Gunpowder mixed with brandy, in memory of Jack Spears. And, finally, in desperation, because it's been too long with no change, he tries the way Patrick Harper once saved his life - a cold water bath.
The chance does not pay off.
And in the end, Sharpe is left sitting by the deathbed of a third woman he's loved, squeezing her hand between both his, though she's been delirious for the last day, and listening to her breathing slow and stop.
The next time he tries the barn door, not really hoping to ever get back to the bar, it's not the barn he sees.
