e about a month
afterward, Mrs. Sullivan's mind remained in a state of perfect
resignation. The last pang had lost its bitterness. In the letter which
she dictated to Willie, she expressed her trust in the goodness and
wisdom of Providence, and exhorted him to cherish the same submissive
love for the All-wise. She reminded him of the early lessons she had
taught him, the piety and self-command, which she had inculcated, and
made it her dying prayer that her influence might be increased, rather
than diminished, and her presence felt to be a continual reality.

After Gertrude had folded the letter, and left for her duties in school,
Mrs. Sullivan re-opened the sheet, and, with her feeble hand, recounted
the disinterested and loving devotion of Gertrude, thus: "So long, my
son, as you cherish in your heart the memory of your grandfather and
mother, cease not to bestow all the gratitude of which that heart is
capable upon one whose praises my hand is too feeble to portray."

So slow and gradual was the decline of Mrs. Sullivan, that her death at
last came as an unexpected blow to Gertrude, who, though she saw the
ravages of disease, could not realise that a termination must come to
their work. In the dead hours of the night, with no one to sustain and
encourage her but the frightened Jane, did she watch the departing
spirit of her much-loved friend. "Are you afraid to see me die,
Gertrude?" asked Mrs. Sullivan, an hour before her death. On Gertrude's
answering that she was not--"Then turn me a little towards you," said
she, "that your face, my darling, may be the last to me of earth."

It was done, and, with her hand locked fast in Gertrude's, and a look
that spoke the deepest affection, she expired.

CHAPTER XXV.

MORE CHANGES.

Not until her work of love was ended did Gertrude become conscious that
her lengthened labours by night and day had worn upon her frame, and
exhausted her strength. For a week after Mrs. Sullivan was in her grave,
Dr. Jeremy feared a severe illness for Gertrude. But, after struggling
with her dangerous symptoms for several days, she rallied; and, though
still pale and worn by care and anxiety, was able to resume her school
duties, and make arrangements for another home.

Several homes had been offered to her, with a warmth and cordiality
which made it difficult to decline their acceptance; but Gertrude,
though deeply touched by the kindness thus manifested towards her in her
lonelin