nd evil had been his days; he was not yet thirty, and, possessed of
a fine constitution and vigorous health, had every prospect of long life
had he been content to live at peace with his fellow-men; but by violent
dealing he had passed away in the midst of his years.

"Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days." "The
wages of sin is death."

Chapter Twenty-first.

"Kindness has resistless charms."
--Rochester.

Through all the trying scenes that followed, Elsie was with the Fosters,
giving aid and comfort such as the tenderest sympathy and most delicate
kindness could give. She and her husband and father took upon themselves
all the care and trouble of the arrangements for the funeral, quietly
settled the bills, and afterward sent them, receipted, to Mrs. Foster.

Wilkins had been the chief support of the family, the ladies earning a
mere pittance by the use of the needle and sewing-machine. Nothing had
been laid by for a rainy day, and the expenses of his illness had to be
met by the sale of the few articles of value left from the wreck of
their fortunes. And now, but for the timely aid of these kind friends,
absolute want had stared them in the face.

They made neither complaint nor parade of their poverty, but it was
unavoidable that Elsie should learn much of it at this time, and her
heart ached for them in this accumulation of trials.

The girls were educated and accomplished, but shrank with timidity and
sensitive pride from exerting themselves to push their way in the world.

"I think they could teach," Mrs. Poster said to Elsie, who, calling the
day after the funeral, had with delicate tact made known her desire to
assist them in obtaining some employment more lucrative and better
adapted to their tastes and social position; "I think they have the
necessary education and ability, and I know the will to earn an honest
livelihood is not lacking; but where are pupils to be found?"

"Are you willing to leave that to Mr. Travilla and me?" asked Elsie,
with gentle kindliness.

"Ah, you are too good, too kind," said Mrs. Foster, weeping.

"No, no, my dear friend," returned Elsie; "does not the Master say,
'This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you?'
Now tell me, please, what sort of situations they would like, and what
branches they feel competent to teach."

"Annie is a good musician and draws well. She would be glad indeed to
get a class of pupils in