emently.

It hardly seemed any time since he had gone to bed when Jeff was roused
by Uncle Hugh touching him on the shoulder.

"Get up, my boy, quickly, your mother wishes you to come to her."

Mr. Colquhoun's face was very grave, and his habitually cold voice had
a thrill of sympathy in its tones. The boy was up in a moment.
Nothing was surprising now. When he had put on his clothes he went
down-stairs to his mother's room. The door was ajar and he pushed it
open. There was a solemn hush here, though there were plenty of lights
about, and a kettle steaming on the hearth. Jeff noticed at once an
overpowering smell of drugs. There was a strange man in the room. The
boy with a cold chill at his heart recognized him as a doctor. How
still the figure on the bed was! How marble-white the face propped up
by many pillows! The mother heard the gentle footfall of her beloved
child, and the soft brown eyes unclosed at his approach--unclosed with
the ever-loving glance. A fleeting smile passed over her face.

"My little lad," said a voice, oh, so faintly, but with such infinite
tenderness, "you have been quick in coming. I have sent for you to say
another good-night. Jeff, darling, try and understand--I am
going--where it is always morning--I am going to leave you--after such
a little stay--"

The boy had thrown himself beside her on the big bed. He had never
seen the approach of death. He could not understand it.

"Mother, why should you go? why should they take you away from me
again? Oh, no, no! Please, sir, do not be so cruel; I'm so lonely
without her."

He turned with anguished eyes to the grave gentleman who had placed a
hand on the dear mother's pulse.

Again she spoke:

"My boy, you must understand, God has called me--I am dying. In the
morning I shall not see your dear eyes; I shall never touch your head
again. Oh, dear, dear head--oh, soft curls!" She paused a minute and
a little sob broke from her.

"Jeff, Uncle Hugh has been telling me about you the past few days. It
has been a great happiness--a great comfort to know that you are so
brave and truthful. There are faults, my darling, still; but I think,
my own, that you will be a hero some day." She smiled upon him with
indescribable content. "I have no fears for you. You will bear what
is given you to bear patiently. You will not grieve your father--you
will remember that--" Her voice failed.

"Oh, mother, stay with me. I can