lt, and nobly she discharged it; neglecting nothing
in her power for the relief and enjoyment of the invalid who, though
often fretful, exacting, and unreasonable, was yet nearest and dearest
to her of all earthly creatures. The young girl's loving patience seemed
never to fail, and her heart was continually going up in earnest, silent
petitions that her beloved parent might be made meet for the inheritance
of the saints in light; that she might learn to love Him who had died to
redeem her from death and the power of the grave, and to give her an
abundant entrance into his kingdom and glory.

The doubt of Laura's preparation for death and eternity, amounting to
almost certainty that it was lacking, made this nursing an even sadder
one than had been that of Eric, Evelyn's father, years ago. To him talk
of things heavenly and divine had ever seemed easy and natural, and with
the certainty that he was passing away from earth came the full
assurance that he was ready to depart and be with Christ in glory.

But Laura hastily repelled the slightest allusion to eternity and a
preparation for it. Evelyn's only consolation was in the knowledge that
others were uniting their earnest petitions with hers, and that God is
the hearer and answerer of prayer.

It was Grandma Elsie who at length succeeded in speaking a word in
season to the dying woman.

"Oh, this racking cough! Shall I never be done with it?" gasped Laura,
as she lay panting upon her pillow after an unusually severe and
exhausting paroxysm.

"Yes; when you reach the other side of Jordan; for there in that blessed
land the inhabitant shall not say 'I am sick,'" returned Grandma Elsie
in low, sympathising tones. "The Bible tells us that 'God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.'"

"Oh, but I am not fit for that place yet!" exclaimed Laura with a look
of alarm, "and I don't want to die for years to come, though it is hard
to suffer as I do. You don't think I'm a dying woman, Mrs. Travilla?"

"You know, dear friend, that no one of us is certain of life for a day
or an hour," returned Grandma Elsie gently, taking the wasted hand in
hers and gazing tenderly into the anxious, troubled face, "and surely it
is the part of wisdom to make careful preparation for that which we must
inevitably meet, sooner or later. And if our peace is made with God--if
Jesus is our Frien