The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-19

ume, In his hard way, and he grew lmpa-
tient for the news. Perhaps, had he seen
the young man stricken down in his
prime, laying painting and gasping for
breath during the hot August days, his
heart might have relented. 1t was very
pitiful, and moved Nora many time to
tears, while the mothers grief was too
great and bitter to be told.
Mrs. Jock grew old, white-haired and
bent during this sad vigil. At last the
end came, and one bright morning Jock
Frazer called up Nora, about 8 o'clock, to
tell her that Malcolm was dying. She
hastily dressed and went TO his room, and
there q most mournful sight met her gaze.
Mrs. Jock was holding him up in her
arms, as his difficulty OF breathing was
very great, while the gray pallor OF his
face, his damp brow, and dim, sunken
eyes, told that the coming change was
very near.
He looked at Nora as she approached
him, but did not speak.
'Dear Malcolm" said Nora, going up TO
the bed, and kneeling down and taking
one of his wasted hands.
Then he turned his head toward her.
''Kiss me" he gasped out in hoarse
whisper; and she bent over him and
kissed him again and again, while her
tears IelA not ana isl-J upon Ills ldCC.
'I-l-lOved you too wellr she heard
him murmur; $50 forgive me-belore l
GO"
''I-have nothing to forgive" wept Nora
'Dear boy, do not distress yourself about
anything now"
'Tell Biddulph I am sorry" went on
Malcolm, still in that hOarse whisper; and
then he grew silent, his breathing changed,
and the mother, with her agonized eyes
fixed on his face, thought the end had
come.
But he fingered about an hour, appar-
emily in a semi-uncOnscious state; and
then, Just before he died, he opened his
eyes and looked straight at his mother.
"Mother," he said, and spoke no more;
and until the last breath passed his lips
and the film of death stole over them, his
blue eyes were still fixed on his mothers
face.
'His last thoughts we're for you, Jeanie,
said Jock Fraser, trying to draw her away,
but with an exceeding bitter cry" she
flung herself on her dead sons breast.
My darling, my darling, look at me
again! Malcolm, Malcolm, my son!"
1t was terrible to see her, for there was
no comfort Tor Der any more.
''Oh, Lord, take me too" she kept cry
ing. Let me die since Thou hast taken
himf'
The next few days were most miserable
ones, and it was in vain that Jock Frazer
or Nora tried TO soften the grief OF the be-
reayed mother.
''Why was he born ?" she asked almost
fercely, in reply to some soothing words.
"Why did God give him to me-my babe,
my first born-if He meant to take him
away? Don't talk to me of hope or of
hereafter; my hope is dead!" !"
And she refused, positively refused, to
allow her sons body to be buried in
America.
81 shall take him home" she said.
'Jock, have not long to live, for I won't
live after him, SO don't refuse my last re-
quest. Let us take him back to Airdlinn,
and let him sleep among the hills where
he was born. and bury me beside him"
This, of course, meant great expense,
but Jock Frazer had no heart TO refuse.
And during the sad time Biddulph acted
with such generous forethought and kind
ness, that he quite won poor Jocks heart,
and MANY a time Nora Stewart told her
self that but for "James," her own heart
would have been broken too"
Malcom's death drew them nearer and
nearer, and made the tie that parted them
more hateful and bitter to Bid
dulph every day. He used to sit and look
at Nora's sweet face, and listen to her
words, while the doubt of Natalie's iden-
tity passed and repassed through his
mind. Should he tell Nora this-he be-
gan asking himself-leave her to Judge?
Honor told him he had no right to do
this; but another feeling-that grew and
grew-urged him TO let her at least share
this vague hope.
May l 90 back with your" he had
asked Nora, when the conveyance Of
poor Malcolm's body home was discussed /;
and she looked up in his face, as If half
surprised at the question.
'Surely you would never stay on here
alone| she said.
"No, that would be too desolate," he
answered. and he sighed, moved uneasily,
and then turned away his head.