life into a vision of memory.
Happily it was winter. Had it been in the fair flush of summer, when
her home looked its loveliest, the parting would have been far harder.
As it was, it was hard enough; but she tried to conceal her sorrow
from those to whose pain it would have added, though many a tear was
secretly shed over even the old grey cat and the gentle petted cow,
which were almost home friends.

At last all the preparations were completed. The house, stripped of
most of its familiar furnishings, wore already a strange,
uncomfortable aspect, full of packing-cases and confusion. Fred had
already been obliged to return to college, and Lucy was to be the next
to go. Alick was to escort her to the next railway station, and see
her on the train which was to take her to the city. It was the first
time she had ever travelled alone, and she rather dreaded it; but she
knew that it would be very inconvenient for Alick to accompany her the
whole way, and she would not admit that she thought the solitary
journey at all a formidable one.

Poor Nelly, who grieved as much for her friend's departure as she had
done for her father's death, came on the last morning to say good-bye,
although Lucy had already taken leave of her and Bessie at Mill Bank
Farm, and had made the latter promise to write to her sometimes.

"And it's sorry I am, Miss Lucy, you're going, and you so good to me,"
sobbed Nelly, when she felt the parting moment was really come.

"Well, Nelly, we must both try to remember our Friend in heaven, who
has been so good to us both. You love Him, I hope, Nelly, and pray to
Him always?"

"Indeed I do, and I always pray God to bless you, Miss Lucy."

"Well, I won't forget to pray for you, Nelly, and we know He will hear
our prayers," replied Lucy kindly.

Acts of Christian kindness often bring their reward even in this life:
the "cup of cold water" we give sometimes returns to refresh our own
parched lips. It was some comfort to Lucy, even in this time of
sorrow, to feel that she had been enabled to help Nelly to know the
Saviour, whom the poor, friendless child seemed to have received into
her heart with a true and simple faith.

IX.

_Introductions._

"My God, my Father, while I stray
Far from my home in life's rough way,
Oh teach me from my heart to say,
'Thy will be done.'"

The short January afternoon was closing in when Lucy's train drew near
its destination. Gradually thi