lf; and the first words he
uttered with a long sigh, as his eye came back to her, showed that he
felt the failure and owned it with pathetic candor.

"Better so, perhaps; better go before I bring any more sorrow to you and
shame to myself. I'd like to stay a little longer and try to redeem the
past; it seems so wasted now, but if I can't, don't grieve, Rose. I'm no
loss to anyone, and perhaps it is too late to mend."

"Oh, don't say that! No one will find your place among us we never can
forget how much we loved you, and you must believe how freely we forgive
as we would be forgiven," cried Rose, steadied by the pale despair that
had fallen on Charlie's face with those bitter words.

"'Forgive us our trespasses!' Yes, I should say that. Rose, I'm not
ready, it is so sudden. What can I do?" he whispered, clinging to her as
if he had no anchor except the creature whom he loved so much.

"Uncle will tell you I am not good enough I can only pray for you." And
she moved as if to call in the help so sorely needed.

"No, no, not yet! Stay by me, darling read something there, in
Grandfather's old book, some prayer for such as I. It will do me more
good from you than any minister alive."

She got the venerable book given to Charlie because he bore the good
man's name and, turning to the "Prayer for the Dying," read it brokenly
while the voice beside her echoed now and then some word that reproved
or comforted.

"The testimony of a good conscience." "By the sadness of his countenance
may his heart be made better." "Christian patience and fortitude."
"Leave the world in peace." "Amen."

There was silence for a little; then Rose, seeing how wan he looked,
said softly, "Shall I call Uncle now?"

"If you will. But first don't smile at my foolishness, dear I want my
little heart. They took it off please give it back and let me keep it
always," he answered with the old fondness strong as ever, even when he
could show it only by holding fast the childish trinket which she found
and had given him the old agate heart with the faded ribbon. "Put it on,
and never let them take it off," he said, and when she asked if there
was anything else she could do for him, he tried to stretch out his arms
to her with a look which asked for more.

She kissed him very tenderly on lips and forehead, tried to say
"good-bye," but could not speak, and groped her way to the door. Turning
for a last look, Charlie's hopeful spirit rose for a moment,