ittle ready money with him, enough he thought to pay his funeral
expenses and Zoe's passage back to her native land, but such a mere child
as she was, always used to depending upon him to see to all their affairs,
she would not know how to manage, and would probably be robbed of the
little she had. And even if she should arrive safely in her own country,
what was to become of her then? Without means, no one upon whom she had
any claim for assistance, and too young and ignorant to do anything to
earn her own living.

Edward was deeply moved by the sad recital. "My dear Mr. Love," he said,
"make yourself quite easy about Miss Zoe. I will attend to all these
matters about which you have spoken. I am about to return home myself, and
will be her companion and protector on the voyage. Nor shall she want for
friends or any needed assistance after we arrive."

"God bless you! you have lifted a heavy load from my heart!" faltered the
dying father, with a look of deep gratitude. "You are young, sir, but I
can trust you fully. There are few older men whom I would as willingly
trust."

"And you can die in peace, trusting in the Saviour of sinners?"

"Yes; He is all my hope, all my trust."

"I have been told there is a Protestant minister in the village. Shall I
send Ben for him?"

"Yes, thank you; I should be glad to see him, though I feel that he or any
man could be of little assistance to me now, if the work of repentance and
faith had been left for this hour."

Edward went to the door, called Ben and sent him on the errand, then
coming back to the bedside, "Mr. Love," he said, flushing and speaking
with some little hesitation, "will you give your daughter to me if she is
willing?"

"Give her to you?" the sick man asked as if not fully comprehending.

"Yes, sir; give her to me to wife, and I will cherish her to life's end."

There was a flash of joy in the dying eyes, quickly succeeded by one of
hesitation and doubt. "Is it love or compassion only that moves you to
this most generous offer?" he asked.

"It is both," Edward said. "I have admired and felt strongly attracted to
her from the first day of our acquaintance, though I did not recognize it
as love until now. We are both so young that I should not have spoken yet
but for the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed; but I truly,
dearly love the sweet girl and earnestly desire to be given the right to
protect, provide for and cherish her as my dearest earth