and he turned and left her to her
grief.

It took some time for Mrs. Sherwood to fully realize the truth, for she
listened to the doctor as if dazed. It was the first trouble that had ever
really touched her, and at the suggestion of Jarvis she went to her room,
where by degrees she grew calmer, as the terrible truth came home to heart
that she was soon to be left a widow and her children fatherless.

When Louie came into her father's room a few moments later, and learned the
truth, she threw her arms around Dexie's neck and wept with her. This was
the darkest hour they had ever known. But there was no time to indulge in
grief at present--that would come later--and Dexie whispered:

"Take Gussie up to her room, Louie, and tell her there, and do not let her
come down till she is quiet. Warn Georgie not to go away from the house;
papa may ask for him any minute. I am so thankful the doctor has told
mamma! Watch the door, Louie, and when the minister calls to-day try and
persuade mamma to see him. She would not see him the last time he was here.
Oh, dear! I shall be so glad when Guy comes in!"

"Give me one little bit of comfort to cheer my heart this sad day, Dexie.
Tell me, what is Guy Traverse to you--do, Dexie?"

"Dear Louie, you _shall_ know, if you think it will comfort you any. He is
my promised husband."

"I thought so all the time, and I am so glad!" and she turned away to
prepare Gussie for the dreaded hour.

The time passed heavily and sadly, until the day drew near its close. Mrs.
Jarvis was sitting near the bed, watching, with the eyes of an experienced
nurse, for any change, and presently she bent over Dexie, who was kneeling
by the bedside, and whispered:

"I think I had better bring back your mother. Do you think she can bear
it?"

"She _must_ bear it!" Dexie answered, with a sob.

As Jarvis left the room, Guy quietly entered it, and saw at a glance that
the end was near. Dexie gave him one appealing look as he came beside her.

Bending over, he laid his arm across her shoulder, and whispered:

"Is there anything I can do, darling?"

Dexie shook her head, and the look on her face told of the anguish that was
wringing her heart.

Seeing that her father had opened his eyes, she bent nearer.

"Are you in pain, dear papa?"

"No, dear child; and I shall soon be where that question is never asked."

Lifting his eyes, he saw Guy, and his lips parted in a smile.

"So glad you have come, my boy!