Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-05


chum.
Yes. I know, Bruce, but Il won't be
very long for them, too. and it's a good
place
Yes, l believe 1t all--always did
talked rot-you'll forgive me thatY"
Don't don't" said Moore quickly.
with sharp pain in his voice. and
Bruce smiled little and closed his
eyes. saying, I'm tired" But lie i'm
mcdiatcy opened them again and
looked up.
what is it?' asked Moore. smiling
down into his eyes.
The Duke the poor lips whispered
HE is coming" said Moore conf
IDENTIFY, though how he knew | could
not tell. But even as he spoke. looking
out of the window, I saw lingo come
swinging round the bluff. Bruce
heard the beat of his hoofs, smiled
opened his eyes and waited. The leap
of Joy in his eyes as the Duke came in,
clean, cool and fresh as the morning
went to my heart.
Neither man said n word. but Bruce
took hold of the Dukes hand in both
of his. He was fast growing weaker.
| gave him brandy and he recovered Il
little strength.
Il am dying. Duke" he said quietly.
promise you won't blame yourself"
Il can't, old man." said the Duke
with n shudder. Would to heaven
could"
You were too strong for me and you
didn't think. did youf" And the weak
voice had Carcss in it,
mo, no. God knows said the Duke
hurricdly.
There was n long silence, and again
Bruce opened his eyes and whispered:
"The Pilot"
Moore came to him.
"Read The Prodigal'" he said faint
", and in Moore's clear, sweet voice
the music of that matchless story fell
upon our ears.
Again Bruce's eyes summoned me.
bent over him.
MY letter. he said family; "in my
cont
his mother He held the envelope be
fore his eyes, then handed it to me.
whispering:
"Read."
| opened The letter and looked at the
words "Aly darling Davie." Ny tongue
stack and not a sound could 7 make
Moore put out his hand and took It
from me. The Duke rose to 60 ont
calling me with his eyes. but Bruce
motioned him to stay. and he sat down
and bowed his head while Moore read
the letter.
His tones were clear and steady TIL
he came to the last words, When his
voice broke and ended in a sob:
and. oh, navie. laddie. If ever your
heart turns homo again remember the
door is aye open. and it's joy you'll
bring with You To rs all"
Bruce lay quite still and from his
| closed eyes big tears ran down his
cheeks. 1t was his Inst farewell to
her whose love had been to him the
anchor to all things pure here and 70
heaven beyond.
He took tho letter from Moore's
hand, put it with difficulty to his lips,
and then, touching the open Bible, lie
said between his broaths
"It's-very like-there's really-no
fear IS there?"
NO. no." said Moore, with cheerful.
confident voice. though his tears were
flowing. NO fear of your welcome"
His eyes met mine bent over him.
Tell her and his voice faded away
What shall tell herr" | asked. try
ing 10 recall him. But the message
was never given. He moved ono hand
slowly toward the Duke till il touched
lis head The Duke lifted his face and
looked down A. him. and then he did
p beautiful thing for which | forgnve
him much Ie stopped over and kissed
The lips grown 40 white, and then tho
brow. The light came back into the
eyes ~ the dying man, he smiled once
more and smilingly faced toward the
great beyond And the morning air,
fresh from the sun tipped mountains
and sweet with the scont of the June
roses, came BLOWING soft and cool
through the open window upon the
dead. smiling face. And ii seemed lit
ting so 1t came from the land of the
morning
Again the Duke did beautiful
thing; for, reaching across his dead
friend, he offered his hand to the Pilot
Mir. Moore" he said with fine cour-
tesy, you are a brave man and good
mnn. ask your forgiveness for much
rudeness"
But Moore only shook his head while
he took the outstretched hand and said
brokcnly, Don't; | cant stand it,"
1.-THE Company of the Noble Seven
will meet no more" said the Duke with
faint smAe.
They did meet. however; but when
they did the Pilot was in the chair and
it was not for poker.
The Pilot had got his grip" as Bill
said.
CHAPTER TX.