through the profound stillness of the death chamber. Mr.
Fabian again left the room to receive his wife.

He met Violet in the hall, just as old John had admitted her. She was
closely followed by the nurse and the child.

"How is father?" she inquired.

"He is very ill, my dear, but resting quietly just at present. Here is
Martha; she will take you to your room and make you and the baby
comfortable. Then, as soon as you can, come to the father's chamber; you
know where to find it," said Mr. Fabian, who feared to shock his
sensitive wife by telling her that he was sinking fast, and thought that
it would be safer to let her come into the room and join the group
around the bed, and gradually learn the sad truth by her own
observation.

"Yes; I can find my way very well," answered Violet, as she handed her
bag, shawl, and umbrella to Martha, and followed the housekeeper up
stairs, with the nurse and baby.

Mr. Fabian returned to the chamber of the dying man, around whose bed
the group remained as he had left it, and where in a very few minutes he
was joined by Violet. She entered the room very softly, so that her
approach was not heard until she reached the bedside. Then she took and
silently pressed the hands that were silently held out by Cora, and
finally she knelt down beside her.

More hours passed; no one left the sick room, for no one knew how soon
the end might come. Old John thoughtfully brought in a waiter of
refreshments and set it down on a side table for any one who might
require it.

Day declined. Through the front windows of the death room the western
sky could be seen, dark, lowering, and stormy. A long range of heavy
clouds lay massed above the horizon, obscuring the light of the sinking
sun, but leaving a narrow line of clear sky just along the top of the
western ridge.

Presently a singularly beautiful effect was produced. The sun, sinking
below the dark cloud into the clear gold line of sky, sent forth a blaze
of light from the mountain heights, across the river, and into the
chamber of death! Was it this sudden illumination that kindled the fire
of life in the dying man into a last expiring flame, or was it indeed
the presence of a spiritual visitant, visible only to the vanishing
spirit? Who can tell?

Suddenly old Aaron Rockharrt opened his eyes--those great, strong black
eyes that had ever been a terror to the evil doer--and the well doer
also--and stared before him, held up his hands an