ple and thorough. I went down into the waters of woe, and all
their black billows broke over me. Instead of the Jordan, I was
immersed in the Dead Sea, and the asphaltum cleaves to me."

"Oh, dearie, you will break my heart! I wish now that you had died
when you were only fourteen months old, for then there would have been
one more precious lamb in the flock of the Good Shepherd, safe in
heavenly pastures--one more dear little golden head nestling on
Jesus' bosom,--instead of--of--"

Elsie's emotion mastered her voice, and she sobbed convulsively.

"Why did not you finish? 'Instead of a gray head waiting to go down
into the pit of perdition.' Yes, it was a terrible blunder that I was
not allowed to die in my infancy; but it can't be helped now, and I
wish you would not fret yourself into a fever over the irremediable.
Why will you persist in tormenting yourself and me about my want of
resignation and faith, when you know that exhortation and persuasion
have no more effect upon me than the whistle of the plover down yonder
in the sedge and seaweed,--where I heartily wish I were lying, ten
feet under the shells? Rather a damp pillow for my fastidious, proud
head, but, at least, cool and quiet. Calm yourself, my dear Elsie, for
God will not hold you responsible if I miss my place among the saints,
when He divides the sheep from the goats, in the last day,--_Dies irae
dies illa_. Let me straighten your pillow and smooth your cap-border,
for I see your doctor coming up the walk. There,--dry your eyes. When
you want me, send Robert or Katie to call me."

Mrs. Gerome leaned over the helpless, prostrate form on the bed,
pressed her cheek against that of her nurse, where tears still
glistened, and glided swiftly out of the room just before Dr. Grey
entered.

Never had he seen his patient so completely unnerved; but, observing
her efforts to compose herself, he forbore any allusion to an
agitation which he suspected was referable to mental rather than
physical causes. Bravely the stubborn woman struggled to steady her
voice, and still the twitching tell-tale muscles about her mouth; but
the burden of anxiety finally bore down all resolves, and, covering
her face with her broad hand, she wept unrestrainedly.

In profound silence Dr. Grey sat beside her for nearly five minutes;
then, fearful that the excitement might prove injurious, he said,
gently,--

"I hope you are not suffering so severely from bodily pain? What
distr