-and
Willie's goin' with us, you know."

Gerty tried to cheer up, for True's sake, and went to bed. She did not
sleep for some hours; but when, at last, she did fall into a quiet
slumber, it continued unbroken until morning.

She dreamed that morning was already come; that she and Uncle True and
Willie were taking a pleasant walk; that Uncle True was strong and well
again--his eye bright, his step firm, and Willie and herself laughing
and happy.

And, while she dreamed the beautiful dream, little thinking that her
first friend and she should no longer tread life's paths together, the
messenger came--a gentle, noiseless messenger--and, in the still night,
while the world was asleep, took the soul of good old True, and carried
it home to God!

CHAPTER XV.

A NEW HOME.

Two months have passed since Trueman Flint's death, and Gertrude has for
a week been domesticated in Mr. Graham's family. It was through the
newspaper that Emily first heard of the little girl's sudden loss, and,
acquainting her father with her plans concerning the child, she found no
opposition to fear from him. He reminded her, however, of the
inconvenience that would attend Gertrude's coming to them at once, as
they were soon to start on a visit to some distant relatives, and would
not return until near the time to remove to the city for the winter.
Emily felt the force of this objection; for, although Mrs. Ellis would
be at home during their absence, she knew that she would be a very unfit
person to console Gertrude in her time of sorrow.

This thought troubled Emily; and she regretted much that this unusual
journey should take place so inopportunely. But there was no help for
it; for Mr. Graham's plans were arranged, unless she would make
Gertrude's coming, at the very outset, disagreeable. She started for
town, therefore, the next morning, quite undecided what course to
pursue.

The day was Sunday, but Emily's errand was one of charity and love, and
would not admit of delay; and an hour before the time for morning
service Mrs. Sullivan saw Mr. Graham's carriage stop at the door. She
ran to meet Emily, and guided her into her neat parlour to a comfortable
seat, placed in her hand a fan (for the weather was very warm), and then
told her how thankful she was to see her, and how sorry she felt that
Gertrude was not at home. Emily wonderingly asked where Gertrude was,
and learned that she was out walking with Willie. A succession of
inq