The last words came slowly, but by a supreme effort of will the voice was held even.
He found mammy, told her the solemn truth, and sent her to hire a nurse for the baby.
"Either you or I must be by her side every minute now, mammy—day and night."
"Yessir, I understand," the dear old voice answered.
Every morning early the nurse brought the baby in for a romp as soon as he waked and mammy came to relieve the tired watcher.
Ten days passed before the end came. Many long, sweet hours he had with her hand in his as the great shadow deepened, while he talked to her of life and death, and immortality.
A strange peace had slowly stolen into his heart. He had always hated and feared death before. Now his fears had gone. And the face of the dim white messenger seemed to smile at him from the friendly shadows.
The change came quietly one night as they sat in the moonlight of her window.
"Oh, what a beautiful world, Dan!" she said softly, and then the little hand suddenly grasped her throat! She turned a blanched face on him and couldn't speak.
He lifted her tenderly and laid her on the bed, rang for the doctor and sent mammy for the baby.