But vain were all his efforts.

He had no armor strong enough to repel the invasion of death.

They stopped at a small town on the way and obtained the best medical skill and most careful nursing, but neither skill nor art availed.

On the third day death claimed Leroy as a victim, and Marie wept in hopeless agony over the grave of her devoted husband, whose sad lot it was to die from home and be buried among strangers.
But before he died he placed his will in Marie's hands, saying: "I have left you well provided for.

Kiss the children for me and bid them good-bye." He tried to say a parting word to Gracie, but his voice failed, and he fainted into the stillness of death.