〃Raise　me　up。〃
  The　voice　seemed　to　come　from　his　throat；　as　if　his　lungs　were　closed。　Oliver　started　forward；　but　Cobb；　being　nearer；　slipped　his　arm　under　the　wasted　figure；　and　with　the　tenderness　of　a　woman；　lifted　him　carefully；　tucking　the　pillows　in　behind　the　thin　shoulders　for　better　support。　Oliver　sank　softly　to　his　knees　beside　Margaret。
  Again　the　thin　lips　parted。
  〃Read　it　once　more。〃　The　voice　came　stronger　now。
  Amos　held　the　paper　to　the　light；　and　the　words　of　the　telegram；　like　the　low　tick　of　a　clock；　again　sounded　through　the　hushed　room。
  For　a　brief　instant　the　inventor's　eyes　sought　each　face　in　turn。　As　his　gaze　rested　on　Margaret　and　Oliver；　he　moved　his　thin　white　hand　slowly　along　the　coverlet；　and　laid　it　first　on　Oliver's　and　next　on　Margaret's　head。　Then；　with　a　triumphant　look　lighting　his　face；　he　lifted　his　arms　toward　his　wife。
  〃Sallie！〃　he　called；　and　fell　back　on　his　pillow；　lifeless。
  CHAPTER　XXVI
  THE　LIGHT　OF　A　NEW　DAY
  The　crocuses　are　a…bloom　once　more。　The　lilac　buds　are　bursting　with　the　joy　of　the　new　spring。　A　veil　of　silver…gray　floats　over　Moose　Hillock。　The　idle　brook；　like　a　truant　boy；　dances　in　the　sunshine；　singing　to　itself　as　it　leaps　from　ledge　to　pool。
  All　the　doors　and　windows　of　the　big　studio　on　the　side　looking　down　the　valley　are　open　to　the　morning　air。　Through　one　of　these　Margaret　has　just　entered；　her　arms　full　of　apple　blossoms。　One　spray　she　places　in　a　slender　blue　jar；　the　delicate　blush　of　the　buds　and　the　pale　green　of　the　leaves　harmonizing　with　the　gold…brown　of　her　marvellous　hair　as　she　buries　her　face　among　them。　All　about　the　spacious　room　are　big　easels；　half…finished　portraits；　　rich　draperies；　wide　divans；　old　brass；　and　rare　porcelain。
  In　an　easy　chair；　close　to　the　window；　with　the　fragrance　of　the　blossoms　around　her；　sits　a　white…　haired　old　lady　with　a　gossamer　shawl　about　her　shoulders。　She　is　watching　Margaret　as　she　moves　about　the　room；　her　eyes　brimming　with　tenderness　and　pride。　Now　and　then　she　looks　toward　a　door　leading　into　the　bedroom　beyond；　as　if　expecting　someone。
  Oliver　stands　before　his　easel；　his　palette　and　brushes　in　his　hand。　He　is　studying　the　effect　of　a　pat　of　color　he　has　just　laid　on　the　portrait　of　a　young　girl　in　a　rich　gownthe　fourth　full…length　he　has　painted　this　yearthe　most　important　being　the　one　of　his　father　ordered　by　the　Historical　Society　　of　Kennedy　Square；　and　painted　from　Margaret's　sketches。
  Malachithe　old　man　is　very　feeblemoves　slowly　around　a　square　table　covered　with　a　snow…　white　cloth；　with　seats　set　for　fourone　a　high　chair　with　little　arms。　In　his　hands　are　a　heap　of　cups　and　saucersthe　same　Spode　cups　and　saucers　he　looked　after　so　carefully　in　the　old　house　at　home。　These　he　places　near　the　smoking　coffee…urn。
  Suddenly　a　merry；　roguish　laugh　is　heard；　and　a　little　fellow　with　gold…brown　hair　and　big　blue　eyes　peers　in　through　the　slowly　opening　door。
  The　old　servant　stops；　and　his　withered　face　breaks　into　a　smile。
  〃Is　dat　you；　honey？〃　he　cries；　with　a　laugh。　〃Come　along；　son。　Yo'　cha'r's　all　ready；　Marse　Richard。〃
  End