"
"Indeed, indeed I am, Sir."
"When your Agnes left me last she kissed me on the forehead--here. I
would not ask it else--but--kiss me, Charley."
The sick man's voice was very weak and faint, but its tones were full of
pathos. In some surprise, but without the least hesitation, the young
man stooped down and kissed him. "I shall leave you now, dear Mr.
Balfour, and only hope my thoughtless chatter may not have done you
mischief. I will send my mother to you, who is so quiet, and so good a
nurse, as an antidote. Good-by for the present, Sir."
"Good-by, dear lad--good-by."
Richard well knew it was good-by, not for the present, but forever.
When Mrs. Coe came into the sick man's room she perceived in him a
change for the worse, so marked that it alarmed her greatly, and she was
about to softly pull the bell, when Richard stopped her with a look.
"Don't ring," whispered he, faintly. "Sit down by me, Harry; put your
little hand in mine. I am quite happy. Our boy has kissed me."
"You did not tell him? He does not know?" inquired Harry, anxiously.
"Nay, dear, nay; I am not quite so selfish as that," answered he,
gently.
There was a long pause.
"Do you think my mother knew about him?" asked Richard, presently.
"Oh yes--though I strove to deceive her--from the first moment she saw
him, Richard, she knew it well.
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