"I think not if it had had prompt and proper attention. But that is a question of little importance now: you are beyond human skill. Is there anything in which I can assist you?" "Yes--yes--pray for--my guilty soul." It was no new thing for Dr. Barton to do: an earnest Christian, he ministered to the souls as well as the bodies of his patients. He knelt and offered up a fervent prayer for the dying one, that repentance and remission of sins might be given him, that he might have a saving faith in the Lord Jesus, and trusting only in His imputed righteousness, be granted an abundant entrance into His kingdom and glory. "Thanks--doctor," gasped Wilkins, "I--I've been a bad man; a--very bad, wicked--man; can there be any hope for--me?" "'Whosoever _will_ let him take the water of life freely.' 'Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.'" "Isn't it--too--late?" The hollow eyes gazed despairingly into the doctor's face. "'Whosoever will': you may come if you will; so long as death has not fixed your eternal state." "I will! Lord, help--save me! me a poor--lost--vile--helpless--sinner!" he cried, lifting his eyes and clasped hands to heaven, while great tears coursed down his sunken cheeks. "I cast myself--at--thy feet; oh pardon, save me or--I am--lost--lost forever." The eyes closed, the hands dropped, and for a moment they thought he had passed away with that agonized cry for mercy and forgiveness; but a deep sigh heaved his breast, his lips moved, and his mother bent over him to catch the words. "Leland; send--for--him." With streaming eyes she turned to Elsie and repeated the words, adding, "Do you think he would come?" "I am quite sure of it. I will go for him at once." The white lips were moving again. The mother explained, amid her choking sobs. "He says the wife too, and--and your husband and father. Oh, will they come? Tell them my boy is dying and would go at peace with all the world." "I will; and they will come," Elsie answered, weeping, and hurried away. She drove directly to Fairview and was so fortunate as to find her husband and father there conversing with Mr. and Mrs. Leland. Her sad story was quickly told, and listened to by all with deep commiseration for the impoverished and afflicted family. "You will not refuse the poor dying man's request, papa? Edward?" she said in conclusion. "Certainly not!" they answered, speaking both together, "we will set out immediately. And you, Leland?" "Will gladly accompany you. I bear the poor man no malice, and would rejoice to do him any good in my power. What do you say, Mary?" She looked at him a little anxiously, "Is it quite safe for you?" "Quite, I think," he replied, appealing to the other gentlemen for their opinion. They agreed with him, Mr. Dinsmore adding, "I have no doubt the man is sincere; and I have still more confidence in his mother, whom I have long looked upon as a truly Christian woman."