Why should your eldest son be shut out from your confidence ?" "My dear boy," she answered, putting her hand into his, "can you not rest content till to-morrow?
Why should you think that anything serious ails me ?" "Your pale looks and evident weakness," he said, "grandpa's distressed countenance as he turns his eyes on you, and the unusually sober, serious look of Cousin Arthur as I met him passing out of the house to-night.

He had been with you, had he not ?" "Yes, my son, and I meant that you and your sisters should know all to-morrow or the next day.

It is only for your own sake I would have had you spared the knowledge till then." "Dearest mother, tell me all now," he entreated; "for surely no certainty can be worse than this dreadful suspense." "No, I suppose not," she replied in sorrowful tones, her eyes gazing into his, full of tenderest mother love.

Then in a few brief sentences she told him all.
"Oh, mother dear; dearest mother!" he cried, clasping her close, "if I, your eldest son, might but take and bear it all--the pain and the danger--for you, how gladly I would do so!" "I do not doubt it, my own dear boy," she returned, in moved tones, "but it cannot be; each of us must bear his or her own burden and I rejoice that this is mine rather than that of my dear son.

Do not grieve for me; do not be too anxious; remember that he whose love for me is far greater than any earthly love appoints it all, and it shall be for good.