Ah, it would take more than the loving pressure of a
mother's hand to ease the pain from which he was suffering. The touch
of that pure hand increased the pain to agony.
"Do you feel better?" asked Mrs. Lewis. She had remained some time
with her hand on his forehead.
"Not much," he replied, and rising as he spoke, he added, "I think a
walk in the open air will do me good."
"Don't go out, James," said Mrs. Lewis, a troubled feeling coming into
her heart.
"I'll walk only a few squares." And James went from the parlor and
passed into the street.
"There is something more than headache the matter with him," thought
Mrs. Lewis.
For half an hour James walked without any purpose in his mind beyond
the escape from the presence of his mother. At last his walk brought
him near Mr. Carman's store, and at passing he was surprised at seeing
a light within.
"What can this mean?" he asked himself, a new fear creeping, with its
shuddering impulse, into his heart.
He listened by the door and windows, but he could hear no sound
within.
"There's something wrong," he said, "what can it be? If this is
discovered what will be the end of it? Ruin! ruin! My poor mother!"
The wretched young man hastened on, walked the streets for two hours,
when he returned home.
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