He turned suddenly toward her, and, winding both his arms around her,
drew her to him in a quick, passionate embrace, crying piteously over
her, and saying: "My darling, my darling, if it could have been, but it's too late
now--God is good and will take me to himself. I thought of it before I
was sick, and believe I am a better man, and Jesus is my friend, and I
am going to him. I'm glad you told me what you have. It will make my
last days happier, and when I am gone you will find that I did well with
you."
He put her from him then, for faintness and great exhaustion were
stealing over him, and that was the last that ever passed between him
and Daisy on the subject which all his life had occupied so much of his
thoughts. The fever had left him, it is true, but he seemed to have no
vital force or rallying power, and after a few days it was clear even to
Daisy that Tom's life was drawing to a close. "The man in the corner"
was there again waiting for his prey, and would not leave this time
until he bore with him an immortal soul. And Tom was very happy. He had
thought much of death and what lay beyond during those days when
Daisy's life hung in the balance, and the result of the much thinking
had been a full surrender of himself to God, who did not forsake him
when the dark, cold river was closing over him.
Calm and peaceful as the setting of the summer sun was the close of his
life, and up to the last he retained his consciousness, with the
exception of a few hours, when his mind wandered a little, and he talked
to "that other one," whom no one could see but whose presence all felt
so vividly.
"It would have been pleasant, and for a minute I was tempted to take her
at her word," he said; "but when I remembered my hair and face and
hands, and how she liked nothing which was not comely, I would not run
the chance of being hated for my repulsive looks. Poor little Daisy! she
meant it all right, and I bless her for it, and am glad she said it, but
she must not look at me when I'm dead. The freckles she dislikes so much
will show plainer then. Don't let her come near, or, if she must, cover
me up--cover me up--cover me from her sight."
Thus he talked, and Daisy, who knew what he meant, wept silently by his
side, and kept the sheet closely drawn over the hands he was so anxious
to have hidden from her view. He knew her at last, and bade her a long
farewell, and told her she had been to him the dearest thing in life,
and Daisy's arm was round him, supporting him upon the pillow, and
Daisy's hand wiped the death moisture from his brow, and Daisy's lips
were pressed to his dying face, and her ear caught his last faint
whisper: "God bless you, darling! I am going home! Good-by!"