Portriat
Chapter 11: The Letter

He went to compose a letter to Meghann and when it was completed handed it to Betty for delivery. Within the note Jamie expressed his love, asked her to be his wife and explained her brother’s wishes.

Jamie took up his vigil by Shawn’s beside. He engaged Shawn in conversation and tended to his needs. The monotony of each day was disturbed only by Adam or Mr. Finch’s visits. Each day one or both would bring the nightly report from the bank.

Shawn demanded it be brought into his room. Even though he lay dying, Shawn could not bear to give up his bank.

When Adam visited Shawn seemed to be better. Jamie believed it was Adam’s talent for telling a story. Mr. O’Malley forgot his illness while listening to them.

By the week’s end, Shawn’s coughing was constant even as he slept. The end was near.

Jamie’s heart felt heavy as he sat by Shawn’s bed. He needed to write to Meghann to tell her to come home. But, he did not leave the room fearing Shawn’s spirit would take flight during his absence. A sigh of relief escaped his lips when Adam entered.

Shawn awoke weakly coughing. Shawn could not even speak. Adam took a chair next to his employer.

“I have the evening report, sir,” Adam stated.

Shawn smiled at him before coughing again. His mouth was covered with blood Jamie reached over to help wipe it away.

“Adam put the evening report away for a moment. Tell Mr. O’Malley one of your stories. I need to go do something,” Jamie said.

Jamie stepped from the room.

“Mr. O’Brien a young man brought you this letter,” Betty said wiping tears from her eyes.

Jamie open the letter. Meghann had written to tell him she would marry and fulfill her brother’s wish. “Ask my brother if I may return?” she added.

Jamie picked up his pen writing just one line. He is dying come home or you will not see him alive again. He sealed the letter with a kiss placing it into Betty’s care.

“Fly to you mistress or she will not see her brother alive,” Jamie said.

“I have already sent for her,” Miss Murphy cried covering her face with her hands. “There is but one thing left to be done,” she declared. “We must bring in Shawn’s coffin.

Betty spoke so softly her words were lost in her tears.

“His coffin?” Jamie exclaimed in horror.

“Shawn purchased it when he learned he had his mother’s illness. I hoped we would never use it. It lies covered with a cloth in the barn.”

“Jamie hurry,” shouted Adam in an unnerving voice. “Something has happened to Mr. O’Malley.”

Jamie rushed into the room.

“I was just talking to him. Suddenly he called for Meghann, then he fell silent.

Jamie noticed Shawn’s lips were moving. Putting his ear close to Shawn’s lips Jamie heard the faint words.

“Take care of her,”

Shawn grew forever quiet. Jamie felt for a pulse, but it has ceased.

“He is gone,” Jamie moaned.

Miss Murphy took two coins from her pocket placing them on Shawn’s eyes. She broke down in tears beside the bed.

“Come Adam, there is one final service we must perform,” Jamie declared sadly struggling against his own grief.

“What?” asked Adam in a daze.

“We must retrieve Mr. O’Malley’s coffin from the barn.”

Adam followed Jamie silently into the barn, where they quickly located the coffin. Jamie reverently removed the cover, which had protected it over the years. It pained Jamie to think about what he had to do. He must place his brother-in-law to be into it.

Jamie gathered himself as they carried Shawn’s final bed into the house.

“Let’s set it upon the great table in the parlor,” Jamie directed.

The men placed the coffin on the table. Together, they removed the ornamented lid placing it on the floor. They now had to place its owner inside. When Jamie reached the bedroom, he found the door locked. Miss Murphy opened the door slightly when Jamie knocked.

“I have come for him,” Jamie explained.

“I am preparing him,” Miss Murphy tearfully replied. “I will need a few more moments.”

“I will wait here,” Jamie replied sitting in a chair.

The door drew shut locking preventing further intrusion. It was clear, Miss Murphy wanted no interference. Jamie and Adam waited each caught up in their own thoughts. Finally, the door opened.

“He is ready,” Betty announced stepping from the room.

Except for his stillness, Shawn appeared as he did in life. He lay on the bed dressed in his best clothing. His delicate hands folded in prayer. Shawn seemed at peace.

“He is an angel gone to heaven,” Jamie thought lifting his employer’s still body. He carried Shawn to the parlor laying him gently in the coffin. Jamie said a silent prayer before turning to Adam. “Help me with the lid.

“No!” Betty cried taking a seat next to the coffin. “Leave him, I wish to set with him a while.”

Jamie wanted to set next to her.

“Alone, Sir,” she demanded.

Betty would brook no argument upon the subject causing Jamie to comply with her request. He escorted Adam from the room.

“I can not believe he is gone!” Adam grieved. “I thought he would live forever.”

“Where is Meghann?” Jamie questioned, not really listening to Adam. “She should have been here by now!”

“Would you like me to go after her,” Adam offered.

“I cannot even tell you where she is? All I know is she is staying with Betty’s parents,” Jamie said.

“Then she is at the Harper farm. I know it well,” declared Adam taking up his hat and cloak.

On reaching the door Adam turned to look at Jamie and left. Overcome with worry and grief, Jamie slid down into a chair in the room. He could not tell how long he sat there or if he had even slept. Jamie suddenly heard mournful cries coming from the parlor. They were Meghann’s cries.

He rushed into the parlor. He beheld Meghann leaning over Shawn’s closed casket weeping. Her cries pierced his heart. He went to her pulling her trembling body from the coffin.

“Let me go?” she cried trying to break away from his embrace not knowing who had disturbed her.

“Meghann,” Jamie spoke softly.

Her eyes turned towards him.

“Jamie, he is gone. I wish I was dead,” she cried.

“Do not give yourself to such thoughts. Your brother wished you to live. I will you to live for me and your brother’s memory,” Jamie said softly yet firmly.

“I will try,” she wept slumping to the floor in a faint.

Jamie lifted her putting her into the chair. “Betty,” he shouted rushing to the table to pour a glass of wine.

He threw it into her face. Meghann woke coughing.

“Please,” she said before fainting again.

Betty entered her arms full of flowers, which she dropped on seeing Meghann’s limp form.

“Help me carry her to her bed. I know what will aid.” Betty replied.

“She needs a doctor,” Jamie argued.

“Leave her in my hands all will be well,” Betty said.

In frustration Jamie complied carrying Meghann to her room, laying her on the bed. Jamie was struck by the elaborate decorations in this room. It became clear how much Shawn loved his sister. He had spared her nothing.

“Mr. O’Brien, you may wait in the parlor it is not seemly that you be here now. You are not yet married,” Betty lectured.

“I”, Jamie began.

“Now,” she demanded pushing him out.

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