Annie bowed her head and wept, and Robert was too weak to restrain the tears that would start.
“O, Milton,” said Annie, “you are good; you are noble; how can we ever repay your kindness?”
“Tush! tush! little woman; say no more about it, but answer my question. What is it the doctor prescribes?”
“Oh, he prescribes what is far beyond our means,” sobbed Annie. “An ocean voyage may do wonders for him, the doctor says; and a tour in foreign lands. The sunny skies of Italy, the mountain breezes of Switzerland—a summer’s sojourn there might give him such health as has never been his.”
Milton stepped to the nearest window and gazed meditatively into—nothing. This would take more money than be had at his command, although he had quite a snug sum with which many necessities could be procured for the sick brother, but that was all. Should he call for aid upon the friend who had already been all too generous to him? Why not? Did he not know that his call would not be in vain? and was not the life of his brother at stake, and also the happiness of the woman who had once been all in all to him? These facts were now uppermost in his mind; all else was forgotten. Yes! he would ask Owen to aid him. So turning from the window he said:
“Cheer up, Annie, Robert shall have his voyage and tour, and you shall go with him. And when you return I hope to see the roses blooming in your cheeks. Possibly it may be wisest for you to remain abroad several years, spending your summers in the mountain air, your winters in the sunny south, in balmy Italy. In return I only wish to be kept posted as to all of your movements, I want regular reports as to the state of your health and when you are ready to return I may have something to tell you which I think will surprise you as much as you have been surprised today.”
In this strain he went on leaving them neither time nor opportunity to say much. Preparations were immediately begun. A telegram was sent to Owen. In a few days the required amount in ready cash was at their disposal, and two weeks from the day Milton first appeared at the side of his brother he saw him and Annie safe on deck the steamer “Anchor,” surrounded with every comfort money could buy.
“Be judicious with your supply of money,” was his parting injunction. “Let past experience be a warning. It is to regain your health you are taking this voyage. Remember and be wise.”
And Robert’s answer had been,
“I will! so help me the memory of my noble brother.”