ion, but as Emilie said the
other day, God often causes the very afflictions that he
sends to become his choicest mercies. So it has been
with poor White, I am sure. I find I have nearly filled
my letter about Joe, but we all think a great deal of him.
Don't you remember Emilie's saying, "I would try to
make him lovable." He is lovable now, I assure you.

I am sorry our canaries quarrel, but that is no fault of
yours. We have only two school-fellows at present, but
Herr Franks does not wish for a large school; he says he
likes to be always with us, and to be our companion, which
if there were more of us he could not so well manage. We
have one trouble, and that is in the temper of this newly
arrived German boy, but we are going to try and make
him lovable. He is a good way off it _yet_.

I must leave John to tell you about the many things I
have forgotten, and I will write soon. We have a cat
here whom we call _Muff_, after your old pet. Her name
often reminds me of your sacrifice for me. Ah! my dear
little sister, you heaped coals of fire on my head that day.
Truly you were not overcome of evil, you overcame evil
with good. Dear love to all at home. Your ever affectionate
brother,

FRED PARKER.

CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.

THE LAST.

"Hush, dears! hush!" said a gentle voice, pointing to a shaded window.
"He is asleep now, and we must have the window open for air this sultry
evening. I would not rake that bed to-night, John, I think."

"It is _his_ garden, Emilie."

"Yes, I know"--and she sighed.--

"It _is_ his garden, and his eye always sees the least weed and the
least untidiness. He will be sure to notice it when he is drawn out
to-morrow."

"John there may be no to-morrow for Joe, he is altered very much to-day,
and it is evident to me he is sinking fast. He won't come down again, I
think."

"May I go and sit by him, Emilie?" said the boy, quietly gathering up
his tools and preparing to leave his employment.

"Yes, but be very still."

It was a striking contrast; that fine, florid, healthy boy, whose frame
was gaining vigour and manliness daily, whose blight eye had scarcely
ever been dimmed by illness or pain, and that pale, deformed, weary
sleeper. So Emilie thought as she took her seat by the open window and
watched them both. The roses and the carnations that John had brought to
his friend were quietly laid on the table as he caught the first g