Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-23

ne OuSul W Sel OfSi lAAo, hS
answered impatiently. But believe"
he added deliberately, hell have to
CO."
Everything stood still for moment.
1t seemed impossible. Two days ago
full of life, now on the way out.
There crowded in upon me thoughts Of
his home; his mother, whose letters he
used to show me full of anxious love;
his wild life here, with all its generous
impulses, its mistakes, its folly.
"How long will he last| I asked,
and my lips were dry and numb.
"Perhaps twenty-four hours, perhaps
longer. He can't throw off the poison
The old doctor proved true prophet.
After another day Of agonized delirium
he sank into a stupor which lasted
through the night.
Then the change came. AS the light
began to grow at the eastern rim Of
the prairie and tip the far mountains In
the west, Bruce opened his eyes and
looked about upon US. The doctor had
gone; the Duke had not come back;
Moore and l were alone. He gazed at
US steadily for some moments; read
our faces. A look of wonder came
into his eyes.
"Is it coming?" he asked in faint,
awed voice. "Do you really think 1
must go?"
The eager appeal in his voice and
the wistful longing in the wide open,
startled eyes were too much for
Moore. He backed behind me and 1
could hear him weeping like a baby.
Bruce heard him too.
"Is that the Pilot?" he asked. In
stantly Moore pulled himself up, wiped
his eyes and came round to the other
side OF the bed and looked down, smil-
Ing.
do you say l am dying?" The
voice was strained in its earnestness.
/ felt thrill of admiration 60 through
me as the Pilot answered in a sweet,
clear voice: "They say so. Bruce. But
you are not afraid?"
Bruce kept his eyes on his face and
answered with grave hesitation:
"No-not-afraid-bu I'd like to live
little longer. I've made such a mess
Of it I'd like to try again" Then he
paused and his lips quivered little.
There's my mother you know" he
added apologetically, land jim" Jim
was his younger brother and sworn
chum.
Eyes, l know, Bruce, but it won't be
very long for them, too, and it's good
place"
Eyes, I believe it all-always did
talked rot-you'll forgive me that?"
Don't, don't" said Moore quickly,
with sharp pain in his voice, and
Bruce smiled a little and closed his
eyes, saying, "I'm tired" But he i'm
mediately 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
dently, though how he knew l could
not tell. But even as he spoke, looking
out of the window, 1 saw Jingo 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 word, but Bruce
took hold Of the Dukes hand in both
of his. He was fast growing weaker.
I gave him brandy and he recovered a
little strength.
u am dying, Duke" he said quietly.
promise you won't blame yourself" !
II can't, old man." said the Duke,
with a shudder. "Would to heaven I
could"
"You were too strong for me and you
didn't think, did you?" And the weak
voice had a caress in it.
"No, no! God knows" said the Duke
hurriedly.
There was 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. l
bent over him.
my letter." he said family; "in my
coat
1 brought to him the last letter from
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 "My darling Davie." My tongue
stuck and not a sound could make.
Moore put out his hand and took it
from me. The Duke rose to 60 out,
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 till
he came to the last words, when his
voice broke and ended In q sob:
"And, oh, Davie, laddie, II ever your
heart turns home again remember the
door is aye open, and it's JOY you'll
bring with you to us ALL"
Bruce lay quite still and from his
closed eyes big tears ran down his
cheeks. It was his last farewell to
her whose love had been to him the
anchor to all things pure here and to
heaven beyond.