“And you are delivered out of his hands. You should thank God for that, Miriam; we all should,” remarked the old lady, taking her granddaughter’s hand and pressing it tenderly in hers.
Dr. Jasper’s arrival just at that time prevented a reply from Miriam. He, too, was full of the fearful events of the last few hours; had come directly from the scene of anguish in Barney Nolan’s home, where Nora and the children were weeping over the dead body of the husband and father. The good doctor’s eyes filled, and his voice trembled with emotion as he went on to describe the grief and despair of the new-made widow and orphans, and his listeners wept in sympathy.
“My heart bleeds for them,” said Mrs. Heath; “yet if Bangs had left a wife, her case would, I think, be more pitiable still, knowing that her husband so richly deserved his fate.”
“I quite agree with you in that,” the doctor said; “but I believe he has left no nearer relative or connection than that sister of his, Mrs. Wiley.”
“I should think it enough to make her insane,” said Ronald. “How she must be feeling now!”
“She is out of town,” said the doctor, “and I presume has not yet heard of the fearful events of to-day.”
“She inherits her brother’s property, I suppose,” remarked Ronald, musingly, “and will, therefore, become the holder of the mortgage on our home.”
“Are you in trouble about that?” Dr. Jasper asked, in a tone of friendly sympathy and concern.
“Yes, sir; we fear there is danger of foreclosure, should the holder be so inclined; for we lack the means to pay off even the interest that is due.”
“Don’t be uneasy; I trust that danger may be readily averted,” returned the doctor, cheerily; “doubtless the money to pay off the whole indebtedness can be borrowed, the lender being secured by a new mortgage; and I dare say Captain Charlton will be able to arrange the business for you in a satisfactory manner, finding a mortgagee who will not care to hurry you unduly for payment.”