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you would, Frank," said Herbert. "Money is valuable, but there are some things far more so." They had reached the station by this time, and it was nearly the time for the train to start. Frank bought his ticket, and the two friends shook hands and bade each other good-bye. In an hour Frank was walking up the long avenue leading to the front door of the mansion. The door was opened by his stepfather. "How is mother?" asked Frank, anxiously. "I am grieved to say that she is very sick," said Mr. Manning, in a soft voice. "She had a copious hemorrhage this morning, which has weakened her very much." "Is she in danger?" asked Frank, anxiously. "I fear she is," said Mr. Manning. "I suppose I can see her?" "Yes; but it will be better not to make her talk much." "I will be careful, sir." Frank waited no longer, but hurried to his mother's chamber. As he entered, and his glance fell on the bed and its occupant, he was shocked by the pale and ghastly appearance of the mother whom he so dearly loved. The thought came to him at once: "She cannot live." He found it difficult to repress a rising sob, but he did so for his mother's sake. He thought that it might affect her injuriously if he should display emotion. His mother smiled faintly as he approached the bed. "Mother," said Frank, kneeling by the bedside, "are you very weak?" "Yes, Frank," she answered, almost in a whisper. "I think I am going to leave you." "Oh, don't say that, mother!" burst forth in anguish from Frank's lips. "Try to live for my sake." "I should like to live, my dear boy," whispered his mother; "but if it is God's will that I should die, I must be reconciled. I leave you in his care." Here Mr. Manning entered the room. "You will be kind to my boy?" said the dying mother. "Can you doubt it, my dear?" replied her husband, in the soft tones Frank so much disliked. "I will care for him as if he were my own." "Thank you. Then I shall die easy." "Don't speak any more, mother. It will tire you, and perhaps bring on another hemorrhage." "Frank is right, my dear. You had better not exert yourself any more at present." "Didn't Mark come with you?" asked Mr. Manning of Frank. "No, sir." "I am surprised that he should not have done so. I sent for him as well as you." "I believe he is coming by the next train," said Frank, indifferently. "He thought he could not get ready in time for my train." "He shou
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