During his absence, Barton grew worse; he had fallen across the bed,
and his breathing seemed almost stopped; in vain did Mary strive to
raise him, her sorrow and exhaustion had rendered her too weak.
So, on hearing some one enter the house-place below, she cried out
for Jem to come to her assistance.
A step, which was not Jem's, came up the stairs.
Mr. Carson stood in the doorway. In one instant he comprehended the
case.
He raised up the powerless frame; and the departing soul looked out
of the eyes with gratitude. He held the dying man propped in his
arms.
John Barton folded his hands as if in prayer.
"Pray for us," said Mary, sinking on her knees, and forgetting in
that solemn hour all that had divided her father and Mr. Carson.
No other words would suggest themselves than some of those he had
read only a few hours before--
"God be merciful to us sinners.--Forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive them that trespass against us!"
And when the words were said, John Barton lay a corpse in Mr.
Carson's arms.
So ended the tragedy of a poor man's life.
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