The solemnly musical plash of the sea sounded rhythmically upon the quiet air like the soothing murmur of a loving mother's lullaby, and the radiance of the moonlight flooded the little room with mystical glory.
In her womanly tenderness she drew him more protectingly into the embrace of her kind arm, as though seeking to hold him back from the abyss of the Unknown, and held his head close against her breast.

He opened his eyes and saw her thus bending over him.

A smile brightened his face--a smile of youth, and hope, and confidence.
"The end is near, Mary!" he said in a clear, calm voice; "but--it's not difficult! There is no pain.

And you are with me.

That is enough!--that is more than I ever hoped for!--more than I deserve! God bless you always!" He shut his eyes again--but opened them quickly in a sudden struggle for breath.
"The papers!" he gasped.