The Perfect Tribute by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews
page 11 of 21 (52%)
page 11 of 21 (52%)
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"What do you want with a lawyer?" Again the calm, friendly tone
quieted him. "I want him to draw a will. My brother is--" he caught his breath with a gasp in a desperate effort for self-control. "They say he's--dying." He finished the sentence with a quiver in his voice, and the brave front and the trembling, childish tone went to the man's heart. "I don't believe it--he can't be dying," the boy talked on, gathering courage. "But anyway, he wants to make a will, and--and I reckon--it may be that he--he must." "I see," the other answered gravely, and the young, torn soul felt an unreasoning confidence that he had found a friend. "Where is your brother?" "He's in the prison hospital there--in that big building," he pointed down the street. "He's captain in our army--in the Confederate army. He was wounded at Gettysburg." "Oh!" The deep-set eyes gazed down at the fresh face, its muscles straining under grief and responsibility, with the gentlest, most fatherly pity. "I think I can manage your job, my boy," he said. "I used to practise law in a small way myself, and I'll be glad to draw the will for you." The young fellow had whirled him around before he had finished the sentence. "Come," he said. "Don't waste time talking--why didn't you tell me before?" and then he glanced up. He saw the ill-fitting clothes, the crag-like, rough-modelled head, the awkward carriage of the man; he was too young to know that what he felt beyond these was |
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