Gordon Keith by Thomas Nelson Page
page 29 of 709 (04%)
page 29 of 709 (04%)
|
The child was brought, and the dying man's eyes lit up as they rested on
her pink face and brown eyes filled with a vague wonder. "You must remember papa." She stood on tiptoe and, leaning over, kissed him. "And you must go to Aunt Abby when I have gone." "I will take Gordon Keith with me," said the child. The ghost of a smile flickered about the dying man's eyes. Then came a fit of coughing, and when it had passed, his head, after a few gasps, sank back. At a word from the Doctor, an attendant took the child out of the room. That evening the old Doctor saw that the little girl was put to bed, and that night he sat up alone with the body. There were many others to relieve him, but he declined them and kept his vigil alone. What memories were with him; what thoughts attended him through those lonely hours, who can tell! General Keith went immediately to Ridgely on hearing of General Huntington's death. He took Gordon with him, thinking that he would help to comfort the little orphaned girl. The boy had no idea how well he was to know the watering-place in after years. The child fell to his care and clung to him, finally going to sleep in his arms. While the arrangements were being made, they moved for a day or two over to Squire |
|