And now, Hannah, the Lord's Prayer once more;
it is the last. We have said it many times together, you and I, when the
night was blackest and we could think of nothing else. Where are you,
Hannah?" he added, in a tone of alarm, as if he had lost her. "It is
growing dark and I cannot see. You must not leave me now. We have kept
together so long."
"I am here, father; with my arm around your neck, and I am kissing your
dear face," Hannah said, and then, bending over him, she commenced the
prayer they had so often said together when no other words would come.
Faintly the old man's voice joined hers and that of the clergyman, and
only Burton was silent. He could not pray, but sat silent, while his
father whispered at short intervals:
"Forgive; yes, that's the good word, and I am forgiven. I feel it. I
know it. Salvation is sure, even for me, and in heaven I shall wait and
watch for you, Hannah, the best and truest daughter a man ever had. Oh,
God bless my Hannah, and grant that some joy, some happiness may come to
her when I am gone; and Grey, the baby Grey, oh, bless him, too, with
every needful blessing--the baby Grey, whose little hands took the
stain, the smart from mine--my Grey, whom I love so much.
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