With an effort she checked her sobs and dried her tears.
“Come,” she said. He followed her up the stairway into what had once been their joint bedroom, and there reclining upon a lounge at the window, his eyes wandering wearily, lay Robert. Pain and care had made sad havoc with the delicate frame. Annie glided to him and knelt at his side laying her cheek to his hand.
“Robert,” she said softly, “Robert, someone has come to see you!”
Turning from the open window his eyes fell upon the brother they both had so wronged; his face became ghastly,
“Milton, you here!”
Milton stepped forward,
“Softly, brother—no undue excitement. I bear you no ill will. I have learned to realize that it was not all your fault. It was all the outcome of circumstances over which none of us had any control. I have not come to censure you, but to look after your welfare. Without means, how can Annie give you the care you need?”
Robert scarcely could believe he heard aright,
“You do not hate me, then—me, the destroyer of your happiness? Oh, you mock me!”
“No! I do not mock you. True, you both have caused me suffering, but it was only the cleansing fire needed to purify the grosser part of my nature. I don’t blame you now—it was only natural. What is it your doctor prescribes for you? I want to see you get well and strong, and you can not do so with the load of anxiety I know your heart is burdened with.”