last visit and gone away with that dismal remark to the nearest friend of

the family that he "believed there was nothing more that he could do"

--a remark which is always overheard by some one it is not meant for and

strikes a lingering half-conscious hope dead with a withering shock;

the medicine phials had been removed from the bedside and put out of

sight, and all things made orderly and meet for the solemn event that was

impending; the patient, with closed eyes, lay scarcely breathing; the

watchers sat by and wiped the gathering damps from his forehead while the

silent tears flowed down their faces; the deep hush was only interrupted

by sobs from the children, grouped about the bed.

After a time--it was toward midnight now--Mr. Hawkins roused out of a

doze, looked about him and was evidently trying to speak. Instantly

Laura lifted his head and in a failing voice he said, while something of

the old light shone in his eyes:

Wife--children--come nearer--nearer. The darkness grows. Let me see

you all, once more."

The group closed together at the bedside, and their tears and sobs came

now without restraint.

"I am leaving you in cruel poverty. I have been--so foolish--so

short-sighted. But courage! A better day is--is coming. Never lose

sight of the Tennessee Land! Be wary. There is wealth stored up for you

there--wealth that is boundless! The children shall hold up their heads

The Gilded Age