he had at first meant to do. She tried
to say how grieved she was to see Christie so ill, but when she began to
count how many months she had been lying there, her voice suddenly
failed her.

"Yes; it is a long time," Christie faintly said. But she thought
herself no worse for a few days past. She had suffered much less with
her knee of late, and she was beginning to hope that the worst was
passed. She did not say much more about herself, except in telling how
kind Mr Sherwood had been to her; but she had a great many questions to
ask about the little boys, especially Claude, and about Gertrude
herself, and all that she had been doing since they parted.

What a contrast they presented, these two young girls. There stood the
one, bright and strong, possessing all that we are wont to covet for
those we love--health and beauty, home and friends, and a fair prospect
of a long and happy life. Sick and sorrowful and alone lay the other,
her life silently ebbing away, her hold on the world and all it has to
give slowly but surely loosening. Yet, in the new light which was
beginning to dawn upon him, Mr Sherwood caught a glimpse of a contrast
more striking still. On the couch before him lay a little suffering
form, wasted and weary, soon to be hidden from the light, little to be
mourned, quickly to be forgotten. But it soon vanished as from that
lowly cot there rose before his gaze a spirit crowned and radiant and
immortal.

Which was to be pitied? which to be envied? Before one lay life and its
struggles, its trials and its temptations. With the other, these were
past. A step more and the river is passed, and beyond lies a world of
endless glory and bliss.

They did not linger very long. Promising to bring her back soon, Mr
Sherwood hurried Gertrude away.

"Cousin Charles," said she, eagerly, as they went down the long passage
together, "we must take her away from this place. Nay, don't shake your
head. Mother will listen to what you say, and she will be willing to do
much for one who did so much for her little boy. Only think of her
lying all these months in that dreary room! Did you not hear her say
she had not seen a flower growing all the summer? Oh, Cousin Charles,
you will surely help me to persuade mother?"

"My dear," said Mr Sherwood, gravely, "I fear she is not well enough to
be moved. I do not think the physicians would consent to let her be
taken away."

"But are they making her better?