rted from them or him or to know
sin or sorrow or pain. Oh, what joy to be permitted to look upon the
face of our Redeemer, to kneel at his feet, to hear his voice speaking
to each one of us. 'Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall
behold and not another.'"

CHAPTER IV.

"Oh, Rosie, you here? I'm delighted! I hope you have come to spend the
day?" exclaimed Lucilla, as on Monday she and Grace, on leaving the
schoolroom where they had been reciting to their father, passed out upon
the veranda in search of Evelyn and the older ladies and found Rose
Travilla seated with the others.

"Thank you; but suppose I have come intending to stay longer than that?
as long as mamma does, for instance?" laughed Rose, giving and receiving
an affectionate caress; for they had seen nothing of each other for
several days.

"The longer the better," was Lucilla's hearty rejoinder. "Do you not say
so too, Mamma Vi?" turning to her.

"Indeed I do," said Violet. "She will certainly make a most pleasant
addition to our party."

"I think you may as well accept the invitation, Rosie," her mother said
with a pleased smile; "and as I know you do not care to keep your errand
a secret from any of your friends here, we can call a family council and
talk the matter over."

"Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon's teaching that
'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' And since he was the
wisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing. So, if
you like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came."

"Tell it yourself, child," returned her mother with an amused look.

At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying,
with a smile and blush, "It is from Will Croly. He has grown tired of
waiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat: proposes that I
change my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting would
thereby be shortened by two months or more."

"Oh, do let him have his way, then!" exclaimed Grace--"at least if he
will promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding--for there
could not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month of
roses."

"So I should say," chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, "though I
think I'd make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such a
mother as Grandma Elsie so soon."

At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbidden
tears.

"I can't bear to t