t very sweetly, and you are better," she said to him, and
he replied:

"No, Bessie, not better. I shall never be any better in this world.
There is a weakness all over me this morning, and I cannot lift my hand
to touch you--see?" and he tried to raise the thin, wasted hand lying so
helplessly upon the counterpane.

Taking it in her own, Bessie felt that it was cold as ice, but she
rubbed it gently, and said:

"It is only numb, I shall soon make it warm again."

"No, Bessie; never any more warmth for me. I know it now; the end is
very near, and the birds are singing everywhere, just as they sang in
the summer mornings years ago, when I was a boy. I used to lie on the
grass under the yews, and listen to them, and think they were singing of
my future, which I meant should be so bright. Oh, Bessie, everything has
been so different; everything has changed but you and the birds, singing
now to me of another future which _will_ be bright and fair. What season
is it, Bessie? My mind wanders a little. Is it summer again in the dear
old rose-scented-garden?"

"Yes, father; summer everywhere," Bessie answered him with a choking
sob, and he continued:

"I am glad. I would rather die in the summer time just as father and
mother did. Bury me by them, Bessie; with no expense, and when Daisy
dies lay her by me, too, in the grass where the birds are singing. She
ought to be here now--to-day; send for her, Bessie; send at once, if a
telegram can reach her."

Bessie must tell him now, and kissing his pale forehead, she said:

"A telegram cannot reach her, father, for she is on the sea, going to
America."

"Gone to America! When she knew how sick I was. Oh, Daisy, Daisy, I
would not have served you so," the sick man cried, with a bitter cry,
which rang in Bessie's ears many a day, but did not reach the heartless
woman at that very moment coquetting with the doctor of the ship, and
tapping his arm playfully with her fan as she told him she had lost her
appetite for everything but champagne, and asked what he would advise
her to take.

"She was invited to go by some friends, who bear all the expense. She
has long wished to see America, and it was such a good opportunity that
she took it. She will not be gone long; only through the summer," Bessie
said, trying to find excuse for her mother, but Archie shook his head,
and replied:

"I shall not be here when she comes back; shall not be here to-morrow;
and, oh, my child, what wi