'"Mary," he gasped out, "do not say that he is dead! It is but sleep or
exhaustion. It cannot be that he is dead?"
'His wife was quite calm now. With a mournful smile she pointed to the
beautiful face of the dead. "The seal of God is on that brow. Your
severity could only destroy the body; God has claimed the soul. I
cannot weep for him; he is happier than his parents. Can you now look
in that pure face and believe him guilty?"
'"O woman, great is your faith. But the proof--how can I do away with
the proof of his crime?"
'"Leave that to me. I have a solemn duty to perform for my murdered
son. May God give me strength for the task. Call Ralph Wilson, but do
not tell him what has happened."
'Humbled and subdued, but still unconvinced of his son's innocence, the
Doctor left the room, and shortly returned, followed by the old man.
'Mrs. Leatrim motioned to him to approach the bed.
'Rigid and immoveable, the Doctor resumed his place, still grasping the
bed-post to support him from falling. Mrs. Leatrim spoke slowly and
with some effort, but every word fell distinctly upon his ear.
'"Ralph Wilson, this is your work!"
'"I, my lady? I did not kill him! I did not strike him hard enough for
that. It was the Doctor that ordered me to do it. I begged him to have
mercy on the lad. O Lord! who would have thought of his taking a little
beating so to heart?"
'The old man turned from the bed, and cried aloud.
Pages:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41