The Heart's Kingdom

"God has given you time to right the worst wrong, Nick," I said, as a

sudden thought came to me that gave to me a healing which I knew I must

pour out upon his wounds. "Marry Martha and give the boy your name and

your money to grow good and great with. Jacob is dead. They are alone in

the world. Give them to me that way, Nick, give them to me to care for

for you until we are all together where everything is made right."

For a long moment he lay perfectly still and looked into my eyes and I

saw a wonder grow in his that spread all over his whole face.

"Some kind of a God must have created a woman like that in you. Almost

I believe. Call Goodloe quick, and your father." And then he closed his

eyes and I could see a deathly weakness stealing over him. I called the

nurse and sent her for father and Gregory Goodloe, and to old Dabney who

had come to wait by the door I whispered to bring Martha and the boy and

keep them in the room beyond. Then I went back and knelt by the pillow

and took the hand which was beginning to grow cold in mine.

"Could it be possible?" the white lips muttered.

"Say it, Nickols; say, 'Lord, help thou my unbelief,'" I begged him.

"Amen," he whispered with a quick smile just as father and Gregory

Goodloe came into the room.

"Goodloe, what was the exact story about that skulker of a thief on the

cross?" Nickols asked with a sudden strength in his voice as he opened

his eyes and looked straight at the parson.

"'The thief said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into

thy kingdom." And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, to-day

shalt thou be with me in Paradise,"' are the exact words, Nickols," the

parson answered him.

"Charlotte, ask the judge if he is willing that I should wipe the slate

clean as you propose in case there really is a door and an old Peter to

present a purified passport to," the dying man said to me with a touch

of his old whimsicality. "I give up, Greg; the soul that Charlotte

possesses can't be put out into nothingness; and if she's got one I have

too," he said, after a moment's fight for breath. "Hurry, all of you, to

get my passport made out and bring the girl here to me. Quick, get her.

There is very little time."

"She's here, Nick," I answered, and after a few words to father and the

parson, to which they both gave assent, I called Martha and the boy into

the room.

Straight as a bird to its nest Martha flew to the bedside and the dying

arms found strength to lift themselves and take her and the child into

their embrace.