not speak. Her voice seemed dead in her throat.

The door was open and she saw her mother, who did not look up as Levi
and Matthi entered. The Myers brothers with their burden crossed the
door-sill, and Lizzi, a queen no more, but a remorseful, dejected woman,
stood in the open door, with her profile to the crowd, keeping it at
bay.

Mrs. McAnay was apparently asleep, and the noise of the heavy shuffling
feet had not waked her. Her head rested on one hand, her elbow supported
by the arm of the chair.

"Mother."

Levi spoke low.

"Mother, wake up."

He shook her gently. Her head drooped a little lower, but her eyes
remained closed.

"Mother, get awake."

His voice was harsh and loud, and the shake he gave her vigorous and
sudden, but her head only drooped lower.

The Myers brothers had laid Cassi on the floor at her feet, and were
standing at a little distance from her. Matthi, stanching the flow of
blood from his lips, stood near the door.

It was a cruel scene, this attempt on the part of an older son to arouse
his mother to the knowledge of the injury done to her best beloved, and
in silence the spectators beheld it.

Sharply the stillness was broken as Lizzi, with a shriek, threw herself
across Cassi and buried her face in her mother's lap.

"Dead, dead!" she moaned, "Cassi and mother--and both for me!"

Cassi was restored to his senses by the jar of her fall upon him, and
Thomas Myers saw in his opening eyes the return of life.

"Cassi's livin'!" he cried. "He's opened his eyes."

But only Henry Myers heeded him. The others were engrossed by the awful
scene before them.

Levi and Matthi, stunned by the sudden death of their mother, were
motionless. Their wits had apparently deserted them, and they were
unable to comprehend the situation.

Lizzi did not remain long on her knees. Struggling to her feet, she tore
open her dress at the neck, as if to give her greater freedom in
breathing, but really to reach her marriage-certificate, which she
snatched from the little pocket made for it and held it before her
mother.

"Are your eyes open in heaven, mother? If they are, read this. You died
without seein' it."

Of the gaping, mystified crowd none guessed what the crumpled paper was.
Thrusting it back in its hiding-place, she turned to the wide-mouthed
throng, and said:

"Leave us alone."

Slowly the burly men and curious boys went away in obedience to the
pathetic command. Thomas Myers closed