and precious things at your feet; but I am only a poor old negro,
covered with patches and shreds. But fill my heart with all the love
it can hold, and take that--it's all I've got to offer." Again, as if
listening, she paused, then, with a smile of rapture, cried out, "Love
Jesus! love Mary! Oh, Jesus! oh, Mary! my soul is filled with Jesus
and Mary!" Then her eyes closed, her hands sunk down, and she seemed
to sleep again.

"Was it a vision? Was it a dream?" thought May; "or had she been in
the presence of MARY and the angels of heaven? Had they surrounded
her, as she watched and prayed by the side of the dying woman? She
could not tell, but she _felt_ that the air had been stirred by
heavenly visitants. Ere long old Mabel awoke, and looked wildly and
eagerly around her; then her eyes settled on May's countenance.

"How do you feel, Aunt Mabel, now?" she asked, in a low voice.

"Honey, I've had a dream! Such a glorious dream! I thought the door
opened, and the Blessed Virgin, surrounded by bright spirits, came in,
and stood around me; and it seemed to me that I was so full of joy,
that I lifted up my old shrivelled arm to welcome her. Oh, my dear
missis! I never see so much brightness and beauty together before, and
never heard such joyful sounds. It seemed like music talking. And,
honey, what is stranger than all, I saw you there, and I thought the
Blessed Virgin took a white lily out of her bosom, and laid it on your
head, and smiled. Oh, missy, wasn't it comforting to have such a
dream?"

"It was a glorious dream, Aunt Mabel!" said May, while the blood, with
rapturous motion, bounded through her veins, and filled her face with a
glowing hue. "You seemed to _see_ it all. Your eyes were open, and
your lame arm was really stretched out towards the door, as if to
welcome some bright company. Oh may that white flower, which you saw
laid on my head, go down, and take deep root in my heart."

"It will, honey. Let me kiss your hand, and lay mine on your head,
little missy. You've been my earthly helper, and your Heavenly Father
will be yours. My blessing aint of no account, but I give it to you
with all my feeble powers. May you be blessed in every thing in this
world and the next. It's growing mighty dark now, honey; hold my hand,
till it grows light again." With a last effort, she lifted May's hand
to her lips, and kissed it; then a deep lethargy stole over her. May
said the prayers for the