He had left the room; she must go for
him. As she came into the hall, she saw him and Louis hurriedly advancing
up the corridor. Seeing her, they reached her side in a breath.
"Go," she whispered through pale lips; "he is breathing with that--"
Kemp laid his hand upon her shoulder.
"Stay here a second; it will be quite peaceful."
She looked at him in agony and walked blindly in after Louis.
He was lying as they had left him, with Mrs. Levice's hand in his.
"Keep tight hold, darling," the rattling voice was saying. "Don't take it
off till--another takes it--it will not be hard then." Suddenly he saw
Louis standing pale and straight at the foot of the bed.
"My good boy," he faltered, "my good boy, God will bless--" His eyes closed
again; paler and paler grew his face.
"Father!" cried Ruth in agony.
He looked toward her smiling.
"The sweetest word," he murmured; "it was--my glory."
Silence. A soul is passing; a simple, loving soul, giving no trouble in
its passage; dropping the toils, expanding with infinity. Not utterly
gone; immortality is assured us in the hearts that have touched ours.
Silence. A shadow falls, and Jules Levice's work is done; and the first
sunbeams crept about him, lay at his feet a moment, touched the quiet
hands, fell on the head like a benediction, and rested there.
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