vast deal too small; and it was only in reply to a proposal from Frank
that he should buy it that he had casually offered him a shilling. But
now, when he saw the garment, and learned why it was sent he
immediately drew from his old leather wallet a quarter, all the money
he had in the world and giving it to Mary bade her keep it, as she
would need it all.

Half an hour after a cooling orange was held to Frank's parched lips,
and Mary said, "Drink it, brother, I've got two more, besides some
milk and bread," but the ear she addressed was deaf and the eye dim
with the fast falling shadow of death. "Mother, mother!" cried the
little girl, "Franky won't drink and his forehead is all sweat. Can't
I hold you up while you come to him?"

Mrs. Howard had been much worse that day, but she did not need the
support of those feeble arms. She felt, rather than saw that her
darling boy was dying, and agony made her strong. Springing to his
side she wiped from his brow the cold moisture which had so alarmed
her daughter chafed his hands and feet, and bathed his head, until he
seemed better and fell asleep.

"Now, if the doctor would only come," said Mary; but the doctor was
hurrying from house to house, for more than one that night lay dying
in Chicopee. But on no hearthstone fell the gloom of death so darkly
as upon that low, brown house, where a trembling woman and a frail
young child watched and wept over the dying Frank. Fast the shades of
night came on, and when all was dark in the sick room, Mary sobbed
out, "We have no candle, mother, and if I go for one, and he should
die--"