ied to be," he said; "but no one could supply her place. What a
loving, tender mother she would have been! But let us forget our loss in
the bliss of knowing that it is so well with her."

It was a family burying-ground; there were other graves; those of our
Elsie's grandparents, and several of their sons and daughters who had died
in infancy or early youth; and in the midst uprose a costly monument,
placed there by Mr. Grayson after the death of his wife. The spot showed
the same care as the rest of the estate, and was lovely with roses and
other sweet flowers and shrubs.

"My mother's grave!" said Elsie, bending over it again. "Papa, let us
kneel down beside it and pray that we may meet her in heaven."

He at once complied with the request, giving thanks for the quiet rest of
her who slept in Jesus, and asking that, when each of them had done and
suffered all God's holy will here on earth, they might be reunited to her
above, and join in her glad song of praise to redeeming love.

Elsie joined fervently in the "Amen," and rising, they lingered a moment
longer, then wended their way in sweet and solemn silence to the house.

They sat together in the library after tea, each occupied with a book. But
Elsie seemed little interested in hers, looking off the page now and then,
as if in deep and troubled thought. At length closing it, she stole round
to the side of her father's easy chair, and taking possession of a
footstool, laid her head on his knee.

"I have my little girl again to-night," he said, passing his hand
caressingly over her hair and cheek.

"I almost wish it was, papa."

"Why? is anything troubling you, dearest?" And he pushed his book aside,
ready to give his whole attention to her.

"I am anxious about my poor people, papa; they are so ignorant of the
truths necessary to salvation; and what can I teach them in three or four
weeks? I have almost decided that I ought--that I must stay as many
months."

"And that without even consulting your father? much less considering his
permission necessary to your action?" Though the words seemed to convey
reproach, if not reproof, his tone was gentle and tender.

"No, no, papa! I must cease to think it my duty if you forbid it."

"As I do most positively, _I_ cannot stay, and I should never think for a
moment of leaving you here!"

"But, papa, how then am I to do my duty by these poor ignorant creatures?
how can I let them perish for lack of knowledge whom