Earle gave the reins to a groom, and went to the library to see if there were any letters, but a servant met him on the way and handed him a telegram that had just arrived. It was a cable dispatch from the United States.
CHAPTER XLV
SUMNER DALTON’S CONFESSION
The telegram was from Paul Tressalia, and extremely startling and imperative in its nature.
“Mr. Dalton can live but a short time,” it said, “and begs continually for you. Come at once. Editha also desires it.”
Earle was deeply excited by what he read.
George Sumner Dalton dying!—face to face at last with the terrible messenger who, sooner or later, comes to summon all!
He was asking for him—longing for the son whom he had wronged and hated all his life-long.
For the moment Earle’s heart rebelled at the thought of going to him; for if he went, he felt he must be prepared to give him comfort in his last hours; he must be ready to forgive everything—his own and his mother’s wrongs, and be at peace with the man who was soon to stand before the Supreme Judge to answer for his earthly career.
Could he do this in all sincerity?
He stood there in the grand hall of his ancestors, with bent head and stern, corrugated brow, asking himself these questions over and over again.