ondition drove her nearly frantic with
fear and anxiety.

James was very expeditious in his movements, and in less than half an
hour returned with the family physician.

"Oh, Doctor Hammond, what is the matter with him?" Mona cried, with a
sinking heart, as she saw the grave expression that settled over the
doctor's face the moment he reached his patient's side.

"An apoplectic attack," he replied, thinking it best that she should know
the truth, and so be somewhat prepared for what he feared must soon come.

The unconscious man was borne to his chamber, and everything which human
skill could devise was done for him. He rallied somewhat toward morning,
but Doctor Hammond gave them no hope that he would ever be any better, or
even retain his consciousness for any length of time.

The whole of his right side was helpless, and his tongue was also
paralyzed, so that he was entirely speechless.

His efforts to talk were agonizing to witness, for he appeared to realize
that his hours were numbered, and seemed to have something special on his
mind that he wished to make those around him understand.

Mona alone, who never left his side, seemed able to interpret something
of his meaning, and she asked him question after question trying to learn
his desire; but he could only slowly move his head to signify that she
did not yet understand.

"Oh, what shall I do?" she moaned, in despair; then a bright thought
flashed upon her. "Is there some one whom you wish to see, Uncle Walter?"
she asked.

His eyes lighted, and a faint nod of the head told her that she had got
hold of the right thread at last.

"Who is it?" she said, eagerly; then remembering his helplessness, she
added: "I will say over the letters of the alphabet, and when I reach
the right one you must press my hand."

This method proved more successful, and Mona finally spelled out the name
of Graves.

"Graves--Graves," she repeated, with a puzzled look; then she cried, her
face lighting: "Oh, it is Mr. Graves, your lawyer, whom you want."

Again the sufferer nodded, and weakly pushed her from him with his left
hand to show that he wanted her to be quick about summoning the man.

In less than an hour Mr. Graves was in the sick-room, and by signs and
questions and Mona's use of the alphabet, he finally comprehended that
Mr. Dinsmore wished him to draw up a will for him, leaving everything he
had to Mona.

While the lawyer was thus engaged in the library, th