he windows were all up
to admit the bright, morning sun and genial air, at the same time that
there was a glowing fire in the grate to temper its chilliness.
Traverse's soft step across the carpeted floor was not heard by the
doctor, who was only made aware of his presence by his stepping between
the sunshine and his table. Then the doctor arose, and with his intense
smile extended his hand and greeted the boy with:

"Well, Traverse, lad, you are always welcome! I did not expect you until
night, as usual, but as you are here, so much the better. Got your
exercises all ready, eh? Heaven bless you, lad, what is the matter?"
inquired the good man, suddenly, on first observing the boy's deeply
troubled looks.

"My mother sir! my mother!" was all that Traverse could at first utter.

"Your mother! My dear lad, what about her? Is she ill?" inquired the
doctor, with interest.

"Oh, sir, I am afraid she is going to die?" exclaimed the boy in a
choking voice, struggling hard to keep from betraying his manhood by
bursting into tears.

"Going to die! Oh, pooh, pooh, pooh! she is not going to die, lad. Tell
me all about it," said the doctor in an encouraging tone.

"She has had so much grief and care and anxiety, sir--doctor, is there
any such malady as a broken heart?"

"Broken heart? Pooh, pooh! no, my child, no! never heard of such a thing
in thirty years' medical experience! Even that story of a porter who
broke his heart trying to lift a ton of stone is all a fiction. No such
a disease as a broken heart. But tell me about your mother."

"It is of her that I am talking. She has had so much trouble in her
life, and now I think she is sinking under it; she has been failing for
weeks, and last night while washing the teacups she fainted away from
the table!"

"Heaven help us! that looks badly," said the doctor.

"Oh, does it?--does it, sir? She said it was 'nothing much.' Oh, doctor,
don't say she will die--don't! If she were to die, if mother were to
die, I'd give right up! I never should do a bit of good in the world,
for she is all the motive I have in this life! To study hard, to work
hard and make her comfortable and happy, so as to make up to her for all
she has suffered, is my greatest wish and endeavor! Oh, don't say mother
will die! it would ruin me!" cried Traverse.

"My dear boy, I don't say anything of the sort! I say, judging from your
account, that her health must be attended to immediately. And--true I