The diamond drill., 1894-04-07
CHAPTER xL

that her few friends believed that II
would rapidly hasten her own death.
Yet her grief was subdued by thoughts
that he would be saved the misery OF
what she suspected 10 be coming-his
domestic ruin. When they told her he
was dead, she only said:
"Well, doubtless IL was best for the
poor boy"
Wilcys behavior in the circumstances
was as decent as he could make it, No
doubt Of his being sensibly shocked by
tho unexpected end OF his brother. who
had gone out of life believing that he
had not been dealt with fairly; yet the
quiclSening of his own sense OF person
al security gave what consolation he
needed. To several persons he inti-
mated his intention 10 do for his fami-
ly things which In Cullens lifetime had
not seemed practicable. Not few
reasonably good church members adj
mitted TO have been struck by the un-
expected soft words which Wiley spoke
OF his late brother.
The forcbodings about his wife limo
long time were justified. Most benign
is that one OF the ways OF Divine Provi-
dence wherein lie leads those whom
lie Is to take soon TO Himself 10 the
desire of doing some special good that
may follow them into the eternal world.
The prospect of Judgment whore
every idle word Is TO be counted makes
dying woman, more often than dy-
ing man, feel like forgetting or exten-
uating all evil doings except her own.
Things In her husband which used To
distress her TO evaporation did so no
longer III she had loved him more,
rather IL the love indulgcd for brief
period had not been insultcd and driv-
en- out OF her being, the coming OF this
condition might have been more diff
cult. AS IL was, the only concern for
him she felt was that he might be saved
from the ruin which she forcsaw in the
path he was following. Towards Ham
nah she did not indulge feeling Of
personal resentment, nor would IL she
had been in robust health. Dissociated
in every fiber OF her heart from Wiley
Amerson, she only pitied Hannah as
she pitied other poor women who were
in the habit of selling themselves TO
him. The compassion begun at the de-
lection OF IIannah's weakness had
dccpcncd more and more, and now.
since Cullen's death, she hoped she saw
way by which Hannah and Wiley
might atone for all past wrongdoings.
When she could no longer rise from
her bed, her husband spent most of the
time in the house. and, with her broth
er and her widowed sister, rendered
every possible service. Occasional
words Of comforting came from his
mouth. which were answered with
calm thanks. Selfish, earthly Of the
earth as he was, he pitied her for whom
he was obliged 10 feel much respect,
and the thought that soon he must see
her face no more touched him with
some feelings OF sincere sympathy. He
was not wicked enough 10 admit great
Joy at the going away Of one between
whom and himself what affection had
been was long gone, and in that pres
ence of death his conscience, that new
er had been sensitive, troubled him no
little while thinking of disappoint-
ments now past remedy which he had
wrought. Ills changed attitu.e com
forted her much. and she began TO i'm
dulge hope of good to him TO come,
after her own death from his more
satisfactory home conditions. One day,
whispering TO the others around her
that she wished TO speak with him Ia
private, when these had withdrawn she
saidl
"Mr Amerson, want TO have some
talk with you. IL Is about Hannah,
and / hope you will understand my
feelings in what am going to say. My
belief since Cullen's death has been
that after my own, and after what will
seem n becoming lapse OF time, you
and she will marry each other; and
what I've been wanting 10 say about IL
~ this " is not cnly my wish for IL TO
be SO, but IL is my solemn belief that II
will be the only means Of reconciling
the troubles over your brothers estate
I have thought much, very much about
Il, and felt II my duty 10 let you both
know my views and my feelings And
I want them made known In the COM
munity, so that people will have no
cause 70 remark on any impropriety OF
IL or It's taking place, as ] earnestly
counsel, with little delay. That's what
! had 10 sny 10 YOU"
She looked at him with as much
calmness as IL never Tie OF any sort
had been between them. The shame
which so long had been dormant In his
being camc forth, making him shrink
before those dying eyes When he had
somewhat recovered he said
| "Why. Juiial why, how can you talk
TO me In that way9 didn't couldn't
believe you thought so poorly of me
Hannah2 Why, Lord help mel can't
talk, and can't bear 10 hear you talk,
about my marrying with Hannah or
anybody else"
"Why not. Mr.. Amerson?" she asked,
In tone cold as her cold hand,
Bccause-becauso it's thing
can't even think about; and I've no
idea that such n thought was ever In
Hannah's mind. Good Lord, Juliaw
She looked for several minutes at his