They went up the hill to the office. Old Brad met them at the door, "Praise Gawd, you've come, Shawn--he gwine mi'ty fas'--he nearin' de Valley uv de Shadder." Shawn went in, and as he saw the old doctor's white head on the pillow, the tears gushed from his eyes. He went to the bedside and took the old physician's hand.

"Doctor, it's Shawn; I've come."

A glad beam came into the fast-closing eyes, and the feeble voice struggled into a fitful tone, "Shawn, my boy, G.o.d has forgiven me--I don't know how it may be--I've tried to think it out, but somehow I feel that in the long journey I must now take alone, that G.o.d will let the light burn for me--I've remembered you, Shawn."

The head sank back upon the pillow. Old Brad was sobbing in the corner.

From the hill came the weird tones of a whip-poor-will, and from the far-away bend of the river, the echoes of a steamer's wheel. The moon shot a beam of light through the window and the rays seemed to rest tenderly upon the calm and gentle face. Doctor Hissong's spirit had flown.

"Clear the room," said Budlong, "I want to speak in private with Shawn."

Taking a paper from his pocket he said, "Shawn, Doctor Hissong told me to read you this, his will. I am here to do it. I drew it up."

The old lawyer stood by the mantlepiece, and by the flickering lamplight read:

"In the name of G.o.d, Amen. Realizing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, I, Radford J. Hissong, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby publish this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and codicils.

1st--I give to the old negro Brad Jackson the sum of $500.00 and intrust him to the care of the young man known as Shawn Collins.

2d--I desire that $1,000.00 of my estate be distributed among the poor of Skarrow.

3rd.--I give, devise and bequeath to the young man, known as Shawn Collins, but whom I hereby acknowledge to be my son, my river-bottom farm, consisting of 387 acres. I bequeath to him my hill farm, consisting of 187 acres. I bequeath to him my town property, consisting of two dwellings and one store-room, my office, bank stock and all other properties found, outside of the first two clauses of this will. This property to belong to the said Shawn, to be used or disposed of according to his pleasure. I desire a modest stone above my grave, and ask that I be buried in the cemetery on the hill, overlooking the river.

In witness whereof I have hereby set my hand, this 18th day of Sept. 186-

Radford J. Hissong.

Witness: Dave Budlong, John Burney, Victor LeCroix.

CHAPTER XIX

After the funeral, Shawn appeared as one upon whom had fallen a great and strange sorrow. He felt as though some dark curtain had suddenly been lowered between him and all prospects of future happiness. There now seemed a lingering consciousness which separated him from his old individuality; something that awakened a flame of anguish within his heart and sent a tingling rush of blood to his cheek, but Mrs. Alden came, with her gracious and charitable heart and sought to soothe the troubled spirit, and her words fell as a blessed benediction into his soul.

"I'm going to Old Meadows, Mrs. Alden, and there bid farewell to every hope and joy that I have in this world."

He rode his horse slowly through the old orchard again, where he and Doctor Hissong had driven that winter morning, but what a change had now come into his heart. He heard the guineas call again, but every sound was teeming with sadness.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lallite ran up to Shawn, giving him both her hands.]

Horton took his horse at the gate, and Major LeCroix met him at the porch, and his voice had the old-time ring of welcome. "Horton, call Lally; Shawn has come."

Shawn went into the old family room, Doctor Hissong's will in his hand.

Lallite came down the stairs and ran up to Shawn, giving him both her hands. Her eyes were beaming the joy of his return, but Shawn stood with downcast gaze and trembling limbs.

"Lally, here is Doctor Hissong's will. It is fair and just that you read it, and afterward, I am willing to release you from any obligation."

With a frightened glance, the beautiful girl began to read the will.

Shawn leaned against the old piano and buried his face in his hands.

Presently he felt two soft arms steal about his neck and a gentle voice saying, "Shawn, would it be the n.o.bler course of a love that should change or turn against one, who was in no way responsible for the conditions of birth; to turn against one who has raised himself above every stigma by his high principle and courage, by tenderness and unselfishness? No, Shawn, some better spirit guides me, and no matter what the world may say, I can face it as the woman who loves you, and that love shall shed its light in such radiance that all the shadows will flee away."

"Oh, Lally," said Shawn, as he caught her in his arms, "Through all of this darkness you have been my guiding star. I will start in at the old office next month." And above the softened glow of the mussel-pearl in the pin on her breast, two pairs of eyes beamed with the love which never grows dim with advancing years.

END.