and business they might have been mislaid,
or even not reached you.

'It is a great pleasure to see you here at this time. Many memories
of past times and days come up. Though never again likely to see
Kalgan, I often in thought go along its narrow, hard streets, and
its up and down sideways, call in at your house, see all your
faces, even that of the youthful Stephen, and the studious Etta;
and often go up over the Pass into the grass land.

'It is like a rest for a little while beside the palms and wells of
Elim to meet you all here.

'Your peaceful, happy family fills me with gratitude to God. May He
bless them all (your children), and lead them not only into paths
of peace and pleasantness, but of useful service for Him! You and
your husband seem well. May many useful years of ripely experienced
labour be yours!

'Lately, I am being more and more impressed with the idea that what
is wanted in China is not new "lightning" methods so much as good,
honest, quiet, earnest, persistent work in old lines and ways.

'With many grateful memories of all old-time Kalgan kindness, and
hoping to see a note from you, or Mr. Williams, say once a year or
so, and with prayers for you and all Kalgan-wards Mongols,

'Yours, cheered by the vision of you all,
'JAMES GILMOUR.'

CHAPTER XII

THE LAST DAYS

At Tientsin James Gilmour was the guest of Dr. Roberts--for too brief a
time his colleague in Mongolia--and the doctor's sister, who kept house
for him. The story of the closing days cannot be better told than in
their words. To Miss Roberts fell the sorrowful task of sending the news
of their irreparable bereavement to the two motherless lads in England.

'Tientsin: June 6, 1891.

'My dear Willie and Jimmie,--You will wonder who I am that call you
by your names and yet have never known you.

'But I think, when you hear that your dear father spent the last
five weeks of his life with my brother, Dr. Roberts, and myself,
perhaps you will not be sorry to get a few lines from an unknown
friend. It is now many weeks since we received a letter from Mr.
Gilmour saying he hoped to be able to attend the annual meetings in
Tientsin, and who would take him in? My brother repl