Bob Masters opened his eyes presently, and saw them holding me.
"Please let him go," he said. "It's all right, old man. It's no use your arguing with them, they would not understand. I could never explain to them now, and they would never believe you. Besides, it's all for the best. Yes, the train went over them and I'm armless for the second time. But—not for long!"
I knelt by his side and sobbed. It all seemed so dreadful, and yet, I don't think that then I would have tried to stay his passing. I knew it was best for him.
He looked at me very affectionately.
"I'm so sorry that this should happen on your wedding-day," he said. "But it would have been so much worse for you if she had not helped."
His voice grew fainter and died away.
There was a pause for a time, and his breath came in great sighing sobs.
Then suddenly he raised himself on the cushions until he stood upright on his feet, and a smile broke over his face—a smile so sweet that I think the angels in Paradise must look like that.
His voice came strong and loud from his lips.
"Darling!" he cried. "Darling, your arms are round me once again! I come! I come!"