d, I beheld Willie. A brilliant young creature
was leaning on his arm, and I saw into her heart, and knew that she was
not blind to his beauty or insensible to his attractions. But, oh! I
trembled for him now! She was lovely and rich, and also fashionable and
admired. But I saw into her soul, and she was proud, cold-hearted, and
worldly; and if she loved Willie, it was his beauty, his winning
manners, and his smile that pleased her--not his noble nature, which she
knew not how to prize. As they promenaded through the hall, and she,
whom crowds were praising, gave all her time and thoughts to him, I,
descending in an invisible shape, and standing by his side, touched his
shoulder. He looked around, but, before he could see his mother's face,
the siren's voice attracted all his attention. Again and again I
endeavoured to win him away; but he heard me not. At length she spoke
some word that betrayed to my high-minded boy the folly and selfishness
of her worldly soul. I seized the moment when she had thus weakened her
hold upon him, and, clasping him in my arms, spread my wings, and soared
far, far away, bearing with me the prize I had toiled after and won. As
we rose into the air, my manly son became in my encircling arms a child
again, and there rested on my bosom the same little head, with its soft,
silken curls, that had nestled there in infancy. Back we flew, over sea
and land, and paused not until, on a soft, grassy slope, under the shade
of green trees, I thought I saw my darling Gerty, and was flying to lay
my precious boy at her feet, when I awoke pronouncing your name."

* * * * *

"And now, Gertrude, the bitterness of the cup I am called upon to drink
is passed away. A blessed angel has ministered unto me. I no longer wish
to see my son again on earth, for I am persuaded that my departure is in
accordance with the schemes of a merciful Providence. I now believe that
Willie's living mother might be powerless to turn him from temptation
and evil; but the spirit of that mother will be mighty still, and in the
thought that she, in her home beyond the skies, is ever watching around
his path, and striving to lead him in the narrow way, he may find a
truer shield from danger, a firmer rest to his tempted soul, than she
could have been while on earth. Now, oh, my Father, I can say, from the
depths of my heart, 'Thy will, not mine, be done!'"

From this time until her death, which took plac