"Lawson will make a mark some day--he has it in him," was the first
remark passed upon the student as the eagle-eyed solicitor glanced
at the son of his friend, whose thoughts were intent upon the copy
of Blackstone before him.

Things went on prosperously at the homestead; and as the student had
succeeded in increasing his means by giving evening lessons to a
class of young men, he felt comforted and assured that in the end
all would come out right.

But a heavy blow had suddenly fallen upon the Lawson family--typhoid
fever came into the household and prostrated the noble-minded Julia
upon a bed of suffering.

Uncomplainingly she had watched her pet sister through all the
stages of this dread disease, until the child had been pronounced
out of danger. It was then that outraged nature asserted itself and
the worn-out system was not equal to the strain--she succumbed to
the raging and delirious fever an object of deep and tender pity.

"God help me," cried Phillip Lawson, in despairing tones as he read
the letter conveying the news in as mild a form as possible. "If
Julia lives I shall never be separated from her again," were the
reproachful thoughts that forced themselves upon the affectionate
brother.

Need we speak of the agonizing hours spent in the dread suspense
that followed.

In the midnight watches as the hours dragged slowly by, the young