When Ike asked what he should tell the folks at home, Mr. Wilmot’s voice was husky as he answered, “Nothing, Ike, tell them nothing.”  Ike was alarmed at the change which had come over his young master, and called for assistance.

From that time Mr. Wilmot hourly grew worse.  Mrs. Middleton was sent for, and a telegram was forwarded to his friends in New York, bidding them come soon if they would see him alive.  Mr. Miller, who was teaching in a distant part of the country, dismissed his school to attend his dying friend.  It was heartrending to hear Mr. Wilmot in his delirium, call for Julia to come to him—­to let him look on her face once more before he died.  Then he would fancy himself at home and would describe Julia to his sister in all the passionate fervor of a devoted lover; then he would think it was Julia who was sick, and would beg of those around him to save her, and not let his loved one die.  At last Mrs. Middleton could bear his pleadings no longer.  She resolved to go home and persuade her hard-hearted daughter, if possible, to go to the dying man.

Just before she was ready to leave, consciousness returned to him for a few moments, and calling her to his bedside, he asked her where she was going.  On being told he replied, “Mrs. Middleton, I am dying.  When you return I shall not be in this world; but I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I am not afraid to die, for I feel assured of rest beyond the grave; but there is one thing I would have.  Ere I go hence I would see Julia once more.  I have loved her perhaps too well, and for this I must die.  Tell, oh tell her, how I missed her when the fever scorched my brow, and bid her hasten to me ere it be too late!  But if she will not come, give her my blessing, and tell her my last prayer was for her, and that in Heaven she will be mine.”

With many tears Mrs. Middleton promised him that every word of his message should be delivered to Julia, and that she should come to him.  On reaching home her swollen eyelids attracted Fanny’s attention, and excited her fear.  Springing up, she exclaimed, “Mother, mother, how is Mr. Wilmot?  Is he dead?”

“No,” answered her mother, “he is not dead, but is dying.”

Then she repeated to Julia his request, and added, “You had better go immediately, if you wish to see him alive, for he cannot live until morning.  Fanny will call Ike to go with you.”

Fanny arose to do her mother’s bidding, but Julia stopped her by saying, “You needn’t trouble yourself to call him, Fanny.”

“Why not?” said Fanny, looking wonderingly in Julia’s face.

“Because I am not going,” said Julia coolly.

“Not going!” exclaimed Fanny.

“Not going!” echoed Mrs. Middleton.  “Why do you say so?  You are going, you must go!”

“There is no must about it,” answered Julia; “I do not choose to go, and I shall not go!”

“Are you in earnest, Julia?” asked Mrs. Middleton.