nderly the hand she held in hers,
"you are never to lose them. They may be called home before you, but the
separation will be short and the reunion for eternity--an eternity of
unspeakable joy, unclouded bliss at the right hand of Him whom you all
love better than you love each other."

"That is true," Annis responded, struggling with her tears, "and there
is very great comfort in the thought; yet one cannot help dreading the
parting, and feeling that death is a thing to be feared for one's dear
ones and one's self. Death is a terrible thing, Elsie."

"Not half so much so to me as it once was, dear cousin," Elsie said, in
a tenderly sympathizing tone. "I have thought much lately on that sweet
text, 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints;'
and that other, 'He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be
satisfied,' and the contemplation has shown me so much of the love of
Jesus for the souls He has bought with His own precious blood and the
joyful reception He gives them, as one by one they are gathered home,
that it seems to me the death of a Christian should hardly bring sorrow
to any heart. Oh, it has comforted me much in my separation from the
dear husband of my youth, and made me at times look almost eagerly
forward to the day when my dear Lord shall call me home and I shall see
His face!"

"O Elsie," cried Annis, "I trust that day may be far distant, for many
hearts would be like to break at parting with you! But there is
consolation for the bereaved in the thoughts you suggest; and I shall
try to cherish them and forget the gloom of the grave and the dread, for
myself and for those I love, of the parting."

They were silent for a moment; then Elsie said, as if struck by a sudden
thought, "Annis, why should not you and your father and mother go home
with us and spend the fall and winter at Ion and Viamede?"

"I cannot think of anything more delightful!" exclaimed Annis, her face
lighting up with pleasure; "and I believe it would be for their health
to escape the winter in our severer climate, for they are both subject
to colds and rheumatism at that season."

"Then you will persuade them?"

"If I can, Elsie. How kind in you to give the invitation!"

"Not at all, Annis; for in so doing I seek my own gratification as well
as theirs and yours," Elsie answered, with earnest sincerity. "We
purpose going from here to Ion, and from there to Viamede, perhaps two
months later, to spend