"Mother, dear mother," he cried, "there is no pain in this world I
would not undergo for your dear sake!" he cried, kissing the
stiffening lips.

She laid her hands on the handsome head bent before her.

"Heaven bless you, my son," she murmured. "Oh, Rex, my hope and my
trust are in you!" she wailed. "Comfort me, calm me--I have suffered
so much. I have one last dying request to make of you, my son. You
will grant my prayer, Rex? Surely Heaven would not let you refuse my
last request!"

Rex clasped her in his arms. This was his lady-mother, whose proud,
calm, serene manner had always been perfect--whose fair, proud face
had never been stained with tears--whose lips had never been parted
with sighs or worn with entreaties.

It was so new to him, so terrible in its novelty, he could hardly
understand it. He threw his arms around her, and clasped her closely
to his breast.

"My dearest mother," he cried, "you know I would die for you if dying
would benefit you. Why do you doubt my willingness to obey your
wishes, whatever they may be? Whatever I can do to comfort you I will
surely do it, mother."

"Heaven bless you, Rex!" she cried, feebly caressing his face and his
bands. "You make death a thousand-fold more easy to bear, my darling,
only son!"

"My dear sir," said the doctor, bending over him gently, "I must
remind you your mother's life hangs on a thread. The least excitement,
the least agitation, and she will be dead before you can call for
help. No matter what she may say to you, listen and accede."

Rex bent down and kissed the pale, agitated face on the pillow.

"I will be careful of my dearest mother. Surely you may trust me," he
said.

"I do," replied the doctor, gravely. "Your mother's life, for the
present, lies in your hands."

"Is it true, Rex, that I must die?" she gasped. The look of anguish on
his face answered her. "Rex," she whispered, clinging like a child to
his strong white hands, "my hope and trust are in you, my only son. I
am going to put your love to the test, my boy. I beseech you to say
'Yes' to the last request I shall ever make of you. Heaven knows, Rex,
I would not mention it now, but I am dying--yes, dying, Rex."

"You need not doubt it, mother," he replied, earnestly, "I can not
refuse anything you may ask! Why should I?"

But, as he spoke, he had not the faintest idea of what he would be
asked to do. As he spoke his eyes caught the gleam of the moonlight
through the windo