how the Lord cares for
us'--she said, but I didn't hear no more after that, for I jus' set
there turned like to stone, goin' over what she said, the darlin' asleep
again in my lap. An' seems like I must a set there for hours, Norma,
fightin' against the Lord.

"'An' if you as ain't her mother wants her so,' at last, somethin'
inside says to me, 'how much more must th' mother what's lost her want
her?' and at that, Norma, the Lord won an' I got up an' come back with
the child."

CHAPTER X.

THE MAJOR OBEYS ORDERS.

"He's going fast." So the nurse whispered to Miss Stannard, as with Mr.
Dilke and Old G. A. R., she came in that December afternoon. As the
three neared the little bed, shut off by the screens from the rest of
the ward, they found the Angel already there in the arms of a tall, dark
gentleman, while by Joey's pillow knelt a slender lady with shining hair
and grave, sweet eyes like the Angel's.

The Major tried to smile a welcome. "They've come--ter--carry--Angel
home, they have," he whispered, "her dad--an' her--mammy."

The white hand of the Angel's "Mammy," took Joey's softly and her eyes
were full of tears. "Joey is going home too," she said.

The Major's eyes wandered questioningly "The big--Angel's--come to get
th' little Angel--but--my Mammy--ain't come--to get me?"

"She has not come, Joey dear," the soft voice explained, "because she is
waiting for you. Joey is going to her."

The little voice was very weak now,--very wistful. "Goin'--now?" asked
the Major.

"Yes, Joey."

His whisper could hardly be understood when after a long pause, he
spoke again. "I--want--th' Cap'n--ter--gimme--th'--order,--'cause--
I--b'long--ter--th' Reg'ment."

"What order, Major?" came from the Captain huskily.

"Old--G.--A.--R.--he knows--" the Major's voice could just be caught
now.

Old G. A. R. who had given the order to those little feet so many times,
knew and understood, and his big voice rolled out with suspicious
unsteadiness now,--"Attention--Company!--Forward--" then the old
soldier's voice broke as the little eyelids fluttered. Old G. A. R.
could not go on.

"--March!" came softly from Van Alstine Dilke, and with a ghost of his
old, roguish smile the Major's eyes closed, as he obeyed orders.

CHAPTER XI.

TELLS OF THE TENEMENT'S CHRISTMAS.

The Angel had but a week in which to prepare Christmas for the Tenement,
but with the help of her marshaled forces she did it. With such