News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1900-04-04
CHAPTER III.

W Len Mr.. Hardy WOKE on the morn
ing of the first of the seven days left
him to live. he was on the point of get
ting ready for his days business, as
usual, when the memory of his dream
flashed upon him. and he was appalled,
to decide what he should do first.
Breakfast was generally hurried and
silent meal with him. The children usu-
ally came struggling down at irregular
intervals, and it was very rare that the
family all sat down together. This
morning Mr.. Hardy waited until all
had appeared, and while they were
eating he held a family council.
His wife was evidently in great eX-
citement and anxiety, and yet the love
and tenderness she felt coming back
to her from her husband gave her face
look of beauty that had been straE-
ger to it for years.
The children were affected by their
fathers remarkable change in various
ways. George was Sullen and silent.
Will looked thoughtful and troubled.
Alice, a girl of very strong and decid-
ed opinions and character, greeted her
father with a kiss and seemed to un-
derstand the new relations he now sus-
tanned to them all. Clara appeared ter
rified as If death had already come in
to the house, and several times she
broke down, crying at the table, and
finally went away into the sitting
room. Bess sat next to her father, as
she always did, and was the most
cheerful of all, taking a very calm and
philosophical view of the situation, SC
that Mr.. Hardy smiled once or twice
as she gave her advice.
Mr.. Hardy was pale, but calm. The
impression of the night before was svi.
IDENTIFY deepening with him. 1t would
have been absurd to call him insane,
His wife was obliged to confess to her
self that he had never appeared more
sound in judgment and calm in speech
He was naturally a man of very strong
will. His passions, as we have al.
ready seen, were under control. Never
in all his life had he felt so self con.
tanned, so free from nervousness, sc
capable of sustained effort. But the
one great thought that filled his mind
was the thought of the shortness OF
the time.
almighty Cod" was his prayer
"show me how to use these seven days
In the wisest and best manner"
Robert, what will you do today?'
asked Mrs. Hardy.
II have been thinking, dear, and
believe my first duty is to God. We
have not had morning worship togeth
er for a long time After we have
knelt as family in prayer to him be
lleve he will give me wisdom to know
whatrI ought to do"
81 think father ought to stay at home
with us all the time" said Bess.
Robert" said Mrs. Hardy, who
could not comprehend the full mean
ing of the situation much better thar
little Bess, will you give up your
business? How can you attend to it
VIII you have the strength and the pa
thence while laboring under this i'm
preston"
II have already thought over that
Yes; believe | ought to go right on
| don't see what would be gained by
severing my connection with the com
pany."
"Will you tell the company yol
have only Mrs. Hardy could no
say the words. They choked her.
what would you do, Alicep asked
her father, turning to his oldest daugh
ter, who, although a cripple, had NOR,
than once revealed to the family grea
powers of judgment and decision.
II would not say anything to th,
company about it," replied Alic,
finally.
THAT is the way feel" said Mr.
Hardy with a nod of approval. "The.
would not understand It, My successo
in the office will be young Wellman, il
all probability, and he Is perfectly com
petent to carry on the work. feel a
If the matter were one that belonged t,
the family. | shall, of course, arrang
my business affairs with reference {,
the situation, and George can give nj
half day for the details. But yol
know, Mary, l have always kept m,
business IN such shape that In any cas-