Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-11-04

gone; the Duke nad not come back;
Moore and l were alone. He gazed ut
us steadily for some moments; read
our faces. A look of wonder came
into his eyes.
us 1t coming?' lie asked in faint,
awed voice. do you really think I
must goY'
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 l
could hear him weeping like a baby.
Bruce heard him too
us 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.
I felt a thrill Of admiration go through
me us the Pilot answered in a sweet,
clear voice: "They say so. Bruce. But
you are not nfraid?"
Bruce kept his eyes on his face and
answered with grave hesitation:
MISUNDERSTANDING I'd like to live
n little longer. I've made such a mess
Of 1t I'd like to try again" Then he
paused and his lips Quivered n little.
"There's my mother, you know" he
added apologctically, "and Jim" Jim
was his younger brother and sworn
chum
Eyes, know, Bruce, but 1t won't be
very long for them, too, and it's good
plnce."
Yes, 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 little and closed his
eyes, saying, Pm tired" But he i'm
mediately opened them again and
looked up.
'Whnt is it7' asked Moore, smiling
down into his eyes.
'sThe 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, 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 US the morning.
went to my heart.
Neither man said q word, but Bruce
took hold Of the Dukes hand in both
Of his. He was fast growing weaker.
I-gaye him brandy and he recovered a
little strength.
Il am dying, Duke" he said quietly.
Promise yon won't blame yourself"
II can't, old man." said the Duke,
with shudder. Would to heaven l
could"
lyon were too strong for me and you
didn't think, did your And the weak
voice had caress in 1t.
mo, no! God knows" said the Duke
hurriedly.
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
ly, and in Moore's clear, sweet voice
the music of that matches story fell
upon our ears.
Again Bruce's eyes summoned me. /
bent oyer him.
my letter." he said family; I'm my
coat
l 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 sound could 1 make.
Moore put ont his hand and took 1t
from me- The Duke rose to go. 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 sob:
And, oh. Dayie. laddie, If 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.
He took the letter from Moore's
hand, put 1t with difficulty to his lips,
and then, touching the open Bible. he
said between his breaths:
''It's-yery like-there's really-no
fear, Ia there2''
.No, mop said Moore, with cheerful,
confident voice, though his tears were
flowing. mo fear of your welcome"
His eyes met mine. bent over him.
.aTell her, and his voice faded away.
what shall tell herr" l asked, try
ing to recall him. But the message
was never given. He moved one hand
slowly toward the Duke till 1t touched
his head. The Duke lifted his face and
lOOheu uOWu Ut hlu, anu tQeu u8 (1o
beautiful thing for which forgave
him much. He stopped over and kissed
the lips grown SO white, and then the
brow. The light came back into the
eyes Of 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 scent of the June
roses. came blowing soft and cool
through the open window upon the
dead, smiling face. And 1t seemed fit
ting 50. It came from the land Of the
morning.
Again tho Duke did beautiful
thing; for, reaching across his dead
friend, he offered his hand to the Pilot.
"Mr. Moore" he said with fine cour-
tesy, you are brave man and good
man. ask your forgiveness for much
rudeness."
But Moore only shook his head while
he took the outstretched hand and said
brokenly, Don't; / can't stand it!'