The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-06

'dld you see the clergyman sent here
today1 He came as the pastor of this
parish, and 1nez has not suspected, he
tells me. But what | have told you
cannot now be concealed from her.
You will soon leave us all. Have you
been preparedT"
Il am ready; but, oh, what would l
not give to be able TO go back with
you" .-=-......r.-" -.. e..
The words came slowly. The doctor
took MOI timer s right hand and held it.
Everything will be all right, Phil
ip."
And you'll care for Inez?"
~ love her.
"Ask her to come in 1t is best"
II will. Mangan has arrived. He
knows all He has found my sister.
She is known to you as Isabel LIE
Clair" ..... ...-
DR.. Leland volunteered all this to
spare tho energy OF the dying man, who
would be sure to ask questions on all
these points
That's good. l would like to see
him"
He will be here later. I'll call
Inez.
DR.. Leland left the sickroom and
sent the nurse to notify the clerk that
Laurence Mangan, when he called,
should be sent up to the Mortimer
apartments, Then, turning to Inez, he
said:
II must ask you to be brave. A
change for the worse has taken place.
The long neglect of himself has sapped
your brothers energy, and he cannot
combat the disease. For his sake bear
up. He wants TO see you. "
1t is the worst, them"
The best for him. His suffering
will not be prolonged "
The curtains Of night were drawing
closer, and the rooms were growing
darker. Tho doctor reached up to the
electric chandelier in passing, and the
light soon streamed down through the
tinted globes-a mellowed, subdued and
harmonious radiance.
Dr. Leland and Inez entered together.
She went to Philips bedside, fell down
on her knees, put her arms around his
neck and kissed him. Hu felt the warm
tears on his check.
Don't cry, lnez," he said. 1T is
all for the hest -
oh, Philip, don't talk that way!
God will spare you"
No, lnez. DR.. Leland will tell
you.
"oh, doctor, is 1t true?h she i'm
plored.
Too true" he answered as he also
knelt down, appearing to feel the pulse
of the dying man, but really to be
nearer with consolation.
Mortimer moved tho other hand un-
til ho had brought il to his sisters He
placed hers in the doctors, and instinc-
lively they looked at each other, then
cast down their glances on the hands
on which Mortimer s rested
Doctor, will you protect her if she
will have it so! know she loves you, -
said Mortimer. Am right, Inez?"
The head was still bowed and no re-
sponse came. While her brother asked
the question. the DOCTORS hand pressed
hers For answer, she returned the
pressure, and the quick, iinpressionable
sense Of the dying man noticed the con
sent and understood the meaning so
delicately conveyed.
Let not my death detor the realiza.
tion Of your happiness, said Mortimer
Talking was becoming painful TO
him. The thirst that comes upon one
dying from tho complications Mortimer
was afflicted with annoyed him. TIE
nurse was near wetting his parched
lips with champagne or helping him TO
small drafts.
A tap on tho door startled them. In
the stiffness of this scene the sound
came like the rapping of the messenger
OF death.
"It is Mangan," said DR.. Leland
Nurse, admit him."
Mangan was ushered in and was un-
prepared for the scene before him. Inez
buried her face in the pillow and
sobbed aloud. Mortimer's hand raised
perceptibly. He WIS no longer able to
lift it high. Mangan OWNED his in,
.tention and advanced TO the bedside,
took the hand and said:
Phil, I'm sorry.
Forgive me-" begged the dying
man.
1--WE nothing to forgive. said Man
gan. Don't give way. You may pull
through yet.
Mortimer shook his head. His voice
was growing fainter. He motioned to
Mangan to bend lower, and tho news
paper man complied.
In my library at home is a diary
kept by my old friend with whom Ray
mond and studied. On his deathbed
he expressed the desire that it should be
sent to me. locked it away-neyer
reading it-get the key from Inez,
Maybe the book tells something
about'--
The voice faltered. Inez was bewil-
dered She did not understand the pur-
port Of the words. She locked from
her brother TO Mangan, then turned to
the doctor. A gurgling sound welled
up from Mortiner's throat, the feet of
the dying man grew colder, the hearts
power deprecated. Gradually the
frost of death crept up his limbs. He
bsttle-l against the giant that came to
strangle him, and Inez appealed 10 the