And praise him day and night."
With the last lines the voice faltered; then there came a quick, short gasp for breath; a bright smile broke out all over the pale face, and before the echo of the words had died out of the room, the soul of the patient sufferer had fled away from his tenement of clay, to the presence and embrace of the Saviour he loved.
The nurse who had so tenderly watched by his side, gently closed his eyes; breathing a sigh of heartfelt sympathy for the absent mother, when, with a quick step, that mother entered the room. She gave one keen, penetrating glance around; then her eye fell on the good nurse who only pointed to the calm, almost smiling countenance, lying so peacefully in the early morning light.
Still her heart refused to comprehend the truth. "He is but sleeping!" she said, softly approaching and placing her hand on his cheek.
"Oh, Alick!" she cried, as the cold marble touch chilled the blood in her veins; "gone without a word of farewell to your poor, desolate mother!" and throwing herself on her knees she hid her face in her hands, while great sobs shook her whole frame.
Two men now approached with long boards and handles attached, which they call stretchers, to bear away the dead body to another apartment.
They stood a moment, out of respect to the absorbing grief of the bowed form, and then the nurse gently touched her.
She understood at once that she must bid farewell, her long farewell, to the dear object of her affections. Stooping forward she lifted the lifeless body in her arms, and pressed her lips on the cheeks, the brow, eyes, and lips of the departed.
"Farewell, darling!" she whispered, tears raining down her cheeks; "farewell till I come to you. You're safe now with Jesus, and I'll be with you before long." Then without another word, she turned, and, hiding her face in her shawl, left the room.
The patients were now all wide awake. Ruth could see the men bearing slowly along the body so lately full of life, and two or three patients devoutly crossing themselves, as it passed close to their bed. For a few moments there was a solemn stillness throughout the two wards. One of their number had passed from time to eternity; had exchanged the trials and pains of earth for the triumphs and glories of heaven. Some, and among them Ruth, asked herself, "am I prepared, as Alick was, for the glorious transformation,—a sinner one moment, a saint the next?" She breathed a short prayer that she, too, might be ready when her summons came; when looking up, she saw the kind face of Miss Alden bending over her.