cheek of his faithful attendant.

"Dear Walter, how good of you to come back!" murmured the invalid. "I
thought you would not leave me to die alone. I feared that your
prediction would prove true, and therefore I did not wish you to go
home. I wanted to have a true friend with me at the last moment which I
feel can not be far off now."

The faithful Switzer saw that Mr. Lafond too well knew the critical
condition he was in to be deceived by any false hopes, and he therefore
did everything in his power to make the last days of the dying man as
free from pain and discomfort as possible. Who could tell what might be
the effect, even at so late a period, of careful nursing and devoted
attention? But all his thoughtful and loving care seemed in vain.

"The end is coming," said the invalid one evening, as the glowing rays
of the evening sun streamed into his apartment. "I shall never more look
upon yonder glorious sun, or hear the gay singing of the birds. I have
something to say to you, Walter, before I go. Do you see that black
cabinet in the corner? I bequeath it to you, with everything it
contains, and hope with all my heart that it will help you on in the
world as you deserve. Here is the key of my desk, in which you will find
my will, which confirms you in the possession of the cabinet and all its
contents. And now give me your hand, dear boy. Let me look once more
upon your honest face. May Heaven bless you for all your kindness and
devotion! Farewell!"

Walter bent over the face of the dying man, and looked at him with deep
emotion. He smiled and closed his eyes; but after lying in a quiet
slumber for about an hour, he awoke with a spasm; his head fell back,
and the hapless victim died in the arms of his faithful servant.

The long hours of the night were passed by Walter in weeping and prayer
beside the corpse of the master to whose kindness he had owed so much;
but when morning dawned he roused himself from his grief, and gave the
directions that were necessary under the melancholy circumstances. It
was a great relief to him that General De Bougy arrived toward evening
to pay the last honors to his deceased nephew. Two days afterward the
funeral took place; and as the mortal remains were deposited in the
family grave, Walter's tears flowed afresh as he thought of the many
proofs of friendship he had received from his departed master.

A day or two afterward he was awakened from his sorrow by news from
home. Th