Part 68 (1/2)

”Well, you o up and see hio with you, my boy I hope he really is not so bad”

”I hope he is not,” said Too, uncle?”

”In half-an-hour If we sent for a fly we could only catch the one o'clock train; if alk over to the station we can catch that at eleven Shall alk?”

”Yes, uncle I'll change s, and be ready as soon as you”

That afternoon they reached Mornington Crescent, to find straw laid thickly down in front of the house, and a strange feeling of depression came over Tom as they entered the silent room, to be received by his aunt, who looked white and anxious

”I aerly ”Ja for you and To

”That's his bell to know if it is you,” said Aunt fanny; and she hurried up-stairs, to return in a few minutes

”Come up at once,” she said; ”you first, Richard;” and she led the way up-stairs, leaving To about at the fa more and more low-spirited, as they recalled many an unhappy hour, and his troubles at the office, and with his cousin Sa In a few minutes the door re-opened, and his aunt and uncle cao up, To to be communicated to you”

”Is--is he so very ill, uncle?” said To hi”

”Is he in his own rooo softly, he is so weak”

Tom drew a deep breath, and went up to the next floor, tapped lightly at the bedroo to see a terrible object stretched upon the bed of sickness in a darkened chamber, he entered, and felt quite a shock

For the rooht and sunlit, theopen, and his uncle, looking very white and careworn, seated in an easy-chair, dressed, save that he wore a loose dressing-gown

”Ah, To out a thin hand, ”at last--at last”

Tohtly

”I'm so sorry to see you so ill, uncle,” he said

”Yes, yes, of course, boy; but don't waste tiet it over-- before it is too late”

”You wanted to see me about business, uncle?”

”Yes,” said Uncle Jaroan; ”terrible business Ah, Too to the door, and see that no one is listening”

To the door