u the bitter truth as long as I
could; bitter to you, love, and to me for your sake; yet the will of God
be done; He knows and will do what is best for us both."

Evelyn was making a determined effort at self-control for his dear sake,
that she might not disturb him with the knowledge that her very heart was
breaking.

"Papa," she said, with a vain endeavor to steady her tones, "dear,
dearest papa, you will surely get well; for I will pray day and night to
God to cure you; and have you not taught me that He is the hearer and
answerer of prayer, that He loves us, and that He is able to do
everything?"

"Yes, dear daughter; and it is all true, but His thoughts are not as our
thoughts; He may see best to take me now to the heavenly home toward
which you too, I hope, are traveling; best for you as well as for me."

"O papa, how can it be best for me, when you are such a help to me in
going that road; the only help I have?"

"He is able to raise up other and better helpers for you, dearest, and He
Himself will be the best of all. Perhaps it is to draw you nearer to
Himself that He is taking away the earthly father upon whom you have been
accustomed to lean."

Mr. Leland's voice faltered with the last words; the exertion of talking
so much had exhausted his feeble frame, and closing his eyes, he lay
lifting up silent petitions for his child.

Evelyn thought he slept, and lest she should disturb him, forcibly
repressed her inclination to relieve her over-burdened heart by sobs and
sighs.

She remained close at his side, gently fanning him, for the day was
oppressively hot.

But presently he opened his eyes, and fixed them upon her face with a
long look of tenderest love and sympathy--a look that impressed itself
indelibly upon her memory and was often, in after years, dwelt upon with
feelings of strangely mingled joy and grief.

"My darling," he murmured at length, so low that her quick ear scarce
caught the words, "my precious child, I leave you to the care of Him who
is a Father of the fatherless. I have been pleading with Him for you;
pleading His promise to those who trust in Him--'I will be a God to thee
and to thy seed after thee.' It is an everlasting covenant, and shall
never fail. Seek Him, my darling, seek Him with all your heart, and He
will be your God forever and ever: your Guide even unto death."

"I will, papa, I will," she whispered, pressing her quivering lips to his
cheek.

The end did not com