-feeling her
sympathy, doubtless, but nothing more; she was not heart and part with
him and his departing boy. Lower and lower bent he over that boy; for
his eyes were wet. "Don't cry, papa," whispered William, raising his
feeble hand caressingly to his father's cheek, "I am not afraid to go.
Jesus is coming for me."

"Afraid to go! Indeed I hope not, my gentle boy. You are going to
God--to happiness. A few years--we know not how few--and we shall all
come to you."

"Yes, you will be sure to come; I know that. I shall tell mamma so. I
dare say she is looking out for me now. Perhaps she's standing on the
banks of the river, watching the boats."

He had evidently got that picture of Martin's in his mind, "The Plains
of Heaven." Mr. Carlyle turned to the table. He saw some strawberry
juice, pressed from the fresh fruit, and moistened with it the boy's
fevered lips.

"Papa, I can't think how Jesus can be in all the boats! Perhaps they
don't go quite at the same time. He must be, you know, because He comes
to fetch us."

"He will be yours, darling," was the whispered, fervent answer.

"Oh, yes. He will take me all the way up to God, and say, 'Here's a
poor little boy come, you must please to forgive him and let him go into
Heaven, because I died for him!' Papa did you know that mamma's heart
broke?"

"William, I think it likely that your poor mamma's heart did break, ere
death came. But let us talk of you, not of her. Are you in pain?"

"I can't breathe; I can't swallow. I wish Joyce was here."

"She will not be long now."

The boy nestled himself in his father's arms, and in a few minutes
appeared to be asleep. Mr. Carlyle, after a while, gently laid him on
his pillow, and watched him, and then turned to depart.

"Oh, papa! Papa!" he cried out, in a tone of painful entreaty, opening
wide his yearning eyes, "say good-bye to me!"

Mr. Carlyle's tears fell upon the little upturned face, as he once more
caught it to his breast.

"My darling, your papa will soon be back. He is going to bring mamma to
see you."

"And pretty little baby Anna?"

"And baby Anna, if you would like her to come in. I will not leave my
darling boy for long; he need not fear. I shall not leave you again
to-night, William, when once I am back."

"Then put me down, and go, papa."

A lingering embrace--a fond, lingering, tearful embrace--Mr. Carlyle
holding him to his beating heart, then he laid him comfortably on his
pillow, gave hi