and away, for this sort of pain seemed almost as bad as that he had
left.
Rose drank, but held his arm tightly, as he would have turned
away, saying in a tone of command he could not disobey: “Don’t
keep anything back tell me the worst at once.?
“We knew nothing of it,” he went on obediently. “Aunt Clara
thought he was with me, and no one found him till early this
morning. A workman recognized him and he was brought home,
dead they thought. I came for Uncle an hour ago. Charlie is
conscious now, but awfully hurt, and I’m afraid from the way Mac
and Uncle looked at one another that Oh! Think of it, Rose!
Crushed and helpless, alone in the rain all night, and I never knew,
I never knew!?
With that, poor Archie broke down entirely and, flinging himself
into a chair, laid his face on the table, sobbing like a girl. Rose had
never seen a man cry before, and it was so unlike a woman’s
gentler grief that it moved her very much. Putting by her own
anguish, she tried to comfort his and, going to him, lifted up his
head and made him lean on her, for in such hours as this women
are the stronger. It was a very little to do, but it did comfort
Archie, for the poor fellow felt as if fate was very hard upon him
just then, and in this faithful bosom he could pour his brief but
pathetic plaint.
“Phebe’s gone, and now if Charlie’s taken, I don’t see how I can
bear it!?
“Phebe will come back, dear, and let us hope poor Charlie isn’t
going to be taken yet. Such things always seem worst at first, I’ve
heard people say, so cheer up and hope for the best,” answered
Rose, seeking for some comfortable words to say and finding very
few.
They took effect, however, for Archie did cheer up like a man.
Wiping away the tears which he so seldom shed that they did not
know where to go, he got up, gave himself a little shake, and said
with a long breath, as if he had been underwater: “Now I’m all
right, thank you. I couldn’t help it the shock of being waked
suddenly to find the dear old fellow in such a pitiful state upset
me. I ought to go are these ready??
“In a minute. Tell Uncle to send for me if I can be of any use. Oh,
poor Aunt Clara! How does she bear it??
“Almost distracted. I took Mother to her, and she will do all that
anybody can. Heaven only knows what Aunt will do if ?
“And only heaven can help her,” added Rose as Archie stopped at
the words he could not utter. “Now take them, and let me know
often.?
“You brave little soul, I will.” And Archie went away through the
rain with his sad burden, wondering how Rose could be so calm
when the beloved Prince might be dying.
A long dark day followed, with nothing to break its melancholy
monotony except the bulletins that came from hour to hour
reporting little change either for better or for worse. Rose broke
the news gently to Aunt Plenty and set herself to the task of
keeping up the old lady’s spirits, for, being helpless, the good soul
felt as if everything would go wrong without her. At dusk she fell
asleep, and Rose went down to order lights and fire in the parlor,
with tea ready to serve at any moment, for she felt sure some of the
men would come and that a cheerful greeting and creature
comforts would suit them better than tears, darkness, and
desolation.
Presently Mac arrived, saying the instant he entered the room:
“More comfortable, Cousin.?
“Thank heaven!” cried Rose, unclasping her hands. Then seeing
how worn out, wet, and weary Mac looked as he came into the
light, she added in a tone that was a cordial in itself, “Poor boy,
how tired you are! Come here, and let me make you comfortable.?
“I was going home to freshen up a bit, for I must be back in an