attention given to time and expression. In this way delightful hours
had been spent, and many beautiful hymns imprinted on the memory, so
that in this instance Pixie had no need to consult a book. She merely
leant against the bed-post, clasped her hands together, and, opening her
lips, began at once to sing, with clear, full-throated sweetness--

"`Come unto Me, ye weary,
And I will give you rest!'"

The beautiful old words seemed to take upon themselves an added
significance in the shaded room, with the motionless figure lying upon
the bed. The Major shut his eyes, and Bridgie turned aside with
quivering face, but the flute-like voice went on without a tremor--

"`Come unto Me, ye fainting,
And I will give you life!'
O cheering voice of Jesus,
Which comes to end our strife.
The foe is stern and eager,
The fight is fierce and long,
But He has made us mighty,
And stronger than the strong."

There was a slight quickening of time in the last two lines, a clearer,
stronger tone, as the singer's emotional nature caught the triumph in
the words, but the last verse was soft as an echo.

"`And whosoever cometh
I will not cast him out.'
O welcome voice of Jesus,
Which drives away our doubt;
Which calls us very sinners,
Unworthy though we be
Of love so free and boundless,
To come, dear Lord, to Thee!"

The Major's face was in shadow, but Bridgie saw the big tears rolling
down his cheeks, and hurried the little sister from the room.

"You sang beautifully, darling. It was sweet of you to think of it, but
now we must let him be quiet. I think perhaps he will go to sleep."

"Yes, he says he feels lazy! The Major was always fond of his bed!"
cried Pixie, skipping blithely down the staircase; but when Bridgie went
back to the sick-room her father's eyes were fixed eagerly on the
doorway, and he said in urgent tones--

"Bride, I'm wanting to see O'Brien! Send down for him at once, and when
he arrives, let him come up alone. I want to have a talk!"

Bridgie obeyed, in fear and trembling. Had something in the sweet
though solemn words of the hymn arrested the sick man's attention and
given him a conviction of his own danger? She sent the faithful Dennis
in search of the doctor, and in less than an hour's time the two old
friends were once more face to face.

"O'Brien," said the Major clearly, "I want you to answer me a question
before I sleep. Shall I ever hunt again?"