He opened his eyes when he heard Gerald’s voice.
“I—am—glad—you—are—come, Gerald,” he gasped. “I think—the end has come!”
He did not utter another word, but in half an hour breathed his last!
CHAPTER IX.
ALONE IN THE WORLD.
Two days afterward the simple burial took place. Mr Wentworth remained, influenced by a variety of motives. He felt that with Warren Lane dead all form of a demand upon him for the money he had once faithfully agreed to pay had passed. Gerald might know something about it, but what could a poor and friendless boy do against a rich manufacturer? Still, if the boy had the papers, he might as well secure them for a trifle. So as they sat in front of the cabin after the burial he said suddenly: “What do you propose to do, Gerald?”
“I don’t know,” answered Gerald sadly.
“If you will go home with me, I will give you a place in my factory.”
“I prefer to remain here for a time.”