the reach of prayer or entreaty--bind up the
broken hearts that this thy judgment has caused. Thou doest all things
well. But oh, I pray thee, spare that other--save _his_ life yet a
little--give him time. Oh, be _thou_ his Father, and lead him even as
thou hast led me. Hear this cry, I beseech thee, for the sake of thy
Son!"

Then he went softly and reverently from the room and the house of
mourning. There stood two others beside that still head when it was
pillowed in the coffin--the stricken father and mother. They stood and
dropped tears of utter agony on the face of their first-born and only
son. Did a vision come to them of the time when they had leaned lovingly
over the sleeping baby in the great rocking-chair, standing empty there
in the corner? Did they remember how merrily they had laughed, as they
assured each other that they had no fear of "Baby Ben" becoming a
drunkard? Oh, if they _had_ feared, and prayed, "Lead him not into
temptation," and made earnest effort to answer their own prayers, would
the end have been as it was?

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXIV.

A DOUBLE CRISIS.

Theodore was at his post in the private office deep in business when his
next hasty summons came. Pliny was raving and repeating his name
incessantly, and Dr. Arnold had said that he must come immediately or
the consequences would be fatal.

"I shall remain all night if I am permitted to do so," Theodore
explained to Mr. Stephens while he was putting bills and notes under
lock and key. "And in the morning--"

"In the morning get rest if you can," interrupted Mr. Stephens. "At all
events, do not worry about the store. Remain with the poor boy just as
much as you can while he lives. I will see that all goes right here.
McPherson is coming in to help me; he has his new clerk under splendid
training."

Theodore looked the thanks that his heart was too heavy to speak. Mr.
Hastings glanced up grimly as he entered Pliny's room, twenty minutes
afterward, but did not choose to speak. Nobody noticed the omission--for
eyes and thoughts were too entirely engrossed with the sufferer. And
then commenced a hand-to-hand encounter with death. Day by day he
relentlessly pursued his victim, and yet was mercifully kept at bay. The
fever burned fiercely, and the faithful, watchful doctors worked
constantly and eagerly. Theodore was constantly with his friend. When
the delirium ran high this was absolutely necessary, for while Pliny did
no