“O, Tom, I wish you hadn’t gone.  O, Tom!  Tom!” cried Robert, in tones of agony.

A gleam of grateful recognition passed over the drawn features of Tom, as the wail of his friend fell on his ear.  He attempted to speak, but the words died upon his lips, and he became unconscious.

“Well,” said Captain Sybil, “put him in one of the best wards.  Give him into Miss Leroy’s care.  If good nursing can win him back to life, he shall not want for any care or pains that she can bestow.  Send immediately for Dr. Gresham.”

Robert followed his friend into the hospital, tenderly and carefully helped to lay him down, and remained awhile, gazing in silent grief upon the sufferer.  Then he turned to go, leaving him in the hands of Iola, but hoping against hope that his wounds would not be fatal.

With tender devotion Iola watched her faithful friend.  He recognized her when restored to consciousness, and her presence was as balm to his wounds.  He smiled faintly, took her hand in his, stroked it tenderly, looked wistfully into her face, and said, “Miss Iola, I ain’t long fer dis!  I’se ’most home!”

“Oh, no,” said Iola, “I hope that you will soon get over this trouble, and live many long and happy days.”

“No, Miss Iola, it’s all ober wid me.  I’se gwine to glory; gwine to glory; gwine to ring dem charmin’ bells.  Tell all de boys to meet me in heben; dat dey mus’ ’list in de hebenly war.”

“O, Mr. Tom,” said Iola, tenderly, “do not talk of leaving me.  You are the best friend I have had since I was torn from my mother.  I should be so lonely without you.”

“Dere’s a frien’ dat sticks closer dan a brudder.  He will be wid yer in de sixt’ trial, an’ in de sebbent’ he’ll not fo’sake yer.”

“Yes,” answered Iola, “I know that.  He is all our dependence.  But I can’t help grieving when I see you suffering so.  But, dear friend, be quiet, and try to go to sleep.”

“I’ll do enythin’ fer yer, Miss Iola.”

Tom closed his eyes and lay quiet.  Tenderly and anxiously Iola watched over him as the hours waned away.  The doctor came, shook his head gravely, and, turning to Iola, said, “There is no hope, but do what you can to alleviate his sufferings.”

As Iola gazed upon the kind but homely features of Tom, she saw his eyes open and an unexpressed desire upon his face.

Tenderly and sadly bending over him, with tears in her dark, luminous eyes, she said, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Yes,” said Tom, with laboring breath; “let me hole yore han’, an’ sing ‘Ober Jordan inter glory’ an’ ‘We’ll anchor bye and bye.’”

Iola laid her hand gently in the rough palm of the dying man, and, with a tremulous voice, sang the parting hymns.

Tenderly she wiped the death damps from his dusky brow, and imprinted upon it a farewell kiss.  Gratitude and affection lit up the dying eye, which seemed to be gazing into the eternities.  Just then Robert entered the room, and, seating himself quietly by Tom’s bedside, read the death signs in his face.