bled. As his tense, white face appeared at the doorway a hush fell upon the assemblage.

"Gentlemen, the President has passed away,' he said.

For a moment not a word came in reply. Even though the end had been expected, the actual announcement that William McKinley was dead fairly stunned these men who had been his closest confidants and advisers. Then a groan of anguish went up from the assembled officials. They cried outright like children. All the pent-up emotions of the last few days were let loose. They turned from the room and came from the house with streaming eyes.

Leaving the stricken circle Secretary Cortelyou left the house and walked down to the ropes. where the waiting correspondents stood ready to send the sad news on lightning's wings to the people who had always been uppermost in the thoughts and deeds of the dead President.

"Gentlemen," he said, "the President passed away at 2:15."

CHAPTER XXV.

BURIAL OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY.

Private Funeral Services-Lying in State at Buffalo and WashingtonInterment at Canton.

A

S THE daily life of William McKinley was marked by the greatest simplicity, so were the last rites and services over

his casket.

The private funeral services were held at the Milburn residence, Sunday, September 15, at eleven o'clock in the morning. The casket had been placed in the library, with the silken folds of an American flag draped about it. Red roses, white chrysanthemums and wreaths of purple violets lay at the foot of the bier.

Two hundred cards had been issued and shortly before the appointed time the invited few began to arrive. Senator Hanna was among the first. President Roosevelt arrived just before the appointed time for the services. The immediate members of the McKinley family gathered in a

room adjoining the library. Mrs. McKinley was not with them. Surrounded by Mrs. Barber, Miss Barber, Mrs. Garret Hobart and Dr. Rixey, she was seated in the upper hallway where every word pronounced over the casket that contained all that she held dear in the world could reach her.

Senator Hanna was the first man of national prominence to enter the library. He was followed by the Cabinet members, who took places on the left of the casket. As President Roosevelt entered every one rose. He walked gravely to!the head of the casket. For a moment he gazed on the face of McKinley. Turning, he spoke in a low voice to Secretary Long, who stood next. He evidently requested that cabinet precedence be observed, for there was an immediate change in the positions of the Cabinet members.

When the funeral services were held at the Milburn house Mrs. McKinley was unable to come down stairs. Sedatives had been given her and the President's remains had been taken away without her knowing of their removal.

At this moment Rev. Dr. Charles Edward Locke of the Delaware Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, son of that Dr. Locke who for many years was the McKinley pastor at Canton, entered the

room.

The quartette of the First Presbyterian Church, made up of Miss Kate Tyrell, Mrs. Clara Barnes

Holmes, Raymond O. Rietpeister and George C. Sweet, had been standing in the dining room, and with the sweet strains of that favorite hymn of the late President, "Lead Kindly Light," the services were begun.

As the last strains died away Dr. Locke began reading the chapter in the I. Corinthians, that, from its sad associations, has become so familiar. In a low but clear voice he read it to its conclusion.

There was a moment's pause after he had finished, and then the quartet sang the four verses of that other hymn, so dear to the man above whose bier the mourners stood, that as he passed into the last unconsciousness, his lips formed its words after the strength to speak had gone.

Silently the assembled men and women framed with their lips the words of "Nearer, my God, to Thee," as the choir sang it through. Dr. Locke raised his hands as the music died away. made this eloquent appeal: "Let us pray:

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast

And our eternal home.

He

We, Thy humble servants, beseech Thee for manifestations of Thy favor as we come into Thy presence. We laud and magnify Thy holy name and praise Thee for all Thy goodness. Be merciful unto us and bless us as, stricken with overwhelming sorrow, we come unto Thee.

In this dark night of grief abide with us till the dawning. Speak to our troubled souls, O God, and give to us in this hour

of unutterable grief the peace and quiet which Thy presence only can afford. We thank Thee that Thou dost answer the sobbing sigh of the heart and dost assure us that if a man die he shall live again. We praise Thee for Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior and elder brother; that He came to bring life and immortality to light," and because He lives we shall live also. We thank Thee that death is victory, that "to die is gain. Have mercy upon us in this dispensation of Thy providence.

We believe in Thee-we trust Thee--our God of love, "the same yesterday, to-day and forever."

"We thank Thee for the unsullied life of Thy servant, our martyred President, whom Thou hast taken to his coronation, and we pray for the final triumph of all the divine principles of pure character and free government for which he stood while he lived, and which were baptized by his blood in his death.

Hear our prayer for blessings of consolation upon all those who were associated with him in the administration of the affairs of the government; especially vouchsafe Thy presence to Thy servant who has been suddenly called to assume the holy responsibilities of our chief magistrate.

O God, bless our dear nation, and guide the ship of state through stormy seas. Help Thy people to be brave to fight the battles of the Lord, and wise to solve all the problems of freedom.

Graciously hear us for comforting blessings to rest upon the family circle of our departed friend. Tenderly sustain Thine handmaiden, upon whom the blow of this sorrow most heavily falls. Accompany her, O God, as Thou has promised, through this dark valley and shadow, and may she fear no evil, because Thou are with her.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, the father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore.

Amen.