"What I want to ask is, Will you stay with me?"

"Ah, nothing could take me from you."

"I don't want you to leave me. I want to feel that you are right
here by me through it all. I have to tell you something else: I may
be delirious and not know what is going on. I have sent for the
doctor. But there is a better one in Lexington. You try to get him
to come. I know that he goes wherever he is called and stays till
the danger is past or--or--till it is settled. Don't spare
anything that can be done for me. I am in danger, and I must live.
I must not lose all the greatness of life and lose you."

"Ah," she implored, seeing how ill he was. "Everything that can be
done shall be done. Now oughtn't you to be quiet and let me make
you comfortable till the doctor comes?"

"I must say something else while I can, and am sure. I might not
get over this--"

"Ah--"

"Let me say this: I MIGHT not! If I should not, have no fear about
the future; I have none; it will all be well with ME in Eternity."

He lay quiet a moment, his face turned off. She had buried hers on
the bed. The flood of tears would come. He turned over, and seeing
it laid his hand on it very lightly.