The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories Page 18

  CHAPTER VIII

  Another day dawned, and grew, and spread its sunshine in the earth. AuntHannah brought comforting news to the failing mother, and a happy note,which said again, "We have but a little time to wait, darling mother,then we shall be together."

  The deep note of a bell came moaning down the wind.

  "Aunt Hannah, it is tolling. Some poor soul is at rest. As I shall besoon. You will not let her forget me?"

  "Oh, God knows she never will!"

  "Do not you hear strange noises, Aunt Hannah? It sounds like theshuffling of many feet."

  "We hoped you would not hear it, dear. It is a little company gathering,for--for Helen's sake, poor little prisoner. There will be music--andshe loves it so. We thought you would not mind."

  "Mind? Oh no, no--oh, give her everything her dear heart can desire. Howgood you two are to her, and how good to me! God bless you both always!"

  After a listening pause:

  "How lovely! It is her organ. Is she playing it herself, do you think?"Faint and rich and inspiring the chords floating to her ears on thestill air. "Yes, it is her touch, dear heart, I recognize it. They aresinging. Why--it is a hymn! and the sacredest of all, the most touching,the most consoling.... It seems to open the gates of paradise to me....If I could die now...."

  Faint and far the words rose out of the stillness:

  Nearer, my God, to Thee,

  Nearer to Thee,

  E'en though it be a cross

  That raiseth me.

  With the closing of the hymn another soul passed to its rest, and theythat had been one in life were not sundered in death. The sisters,mourning and rejoicing, said:

  "How blessed it was that she never knew!"