the house he expressed a desire to see him, as he
wished to send some word to Julia. When Ike was ushered into the sick
room, he immediately handed his young mistress' letter to Mr. Wilmot, who
eagerly took it, for he recognized the handwriting of his idol. Hastily
breaking the seal, he read twice the cruel lines before he was convinced
that he read aright; then the paleness on his cheek grew paler, and was
succeeded by a deep flush.

When Ike asked what he should tell the folks at home, Mr. Wilmot's voice
was husky as he answered, "Nothing, Ike, tell them nothing." Ike was
alarmed at the change which had come over his young master, and called for
assistance.

From that time Mr. Wilmot hourly grew worse. Mrs. Middleton was sent for,
and a telegram was forwarded to his friends in New York, bidding them come
soon if they would see him alive. Mr. Miller, who was teaching in a
distant part of the country, dismissed his school to attend his dying
friend. It was heartrending to hear Mr. Wilmot in his delirium, call for
Julia to come to him--to let him look on her face once more before he died.
Then he would fancy himself at home and would describe Julia to his sister
in all the passionate fervor of a devoted lover; then he would think it
was Julia who was sick, and would beg of those around him to save her, and
not let his loved one die. At last Mrs. Middleton could bear his pleadings
no longer. She resolved to go home and persuade her hard-hearted daughter,
if possible, to go to the dying man.

Just before she was ready to leave, consciousness returned to him for a
few moments, and calling her to his bedside, he asked her where she was
going. On being told he replied, "Mrs. Middleton, I am dying. When you
return I shall not be in this world; but I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and I am not afraid to die, for I feel assured of rest beyond the grave;
but there is one thing I would have. Ere I go hence I would see Julia once
more. I have loved her perhaps too well, and for this I must die. Tell, oh
tell her, how I missed her when the fever scorched my brow, and bid her
hasten to me ere it be too late! But if she will not come, give her my
blessing, and tell her my last prayer was for her, and that in Heaven she
will be mine."

With many tears Mrs. Middleton promised him that every word of his message
should be delivered to Julia, and that she should come to him. On reaching
home her swollen eyelids attracted Fanny's attentio