For fifteen or twenty minutes at a time she would ply her needle, and then get up and bend over the bed for a minute or two.

A thought of duty would again call her back to her position by the work-table, where she would again devote herself to her task, in spite of an aching head, and a reluctant, over-wearied body.

Thus she continued until near daylight, when there was an apparent subsidence of Ella's most painful symptoms.

The child ceased to moan and throw herself about, and finally sunk into slumber.

In some relief of mind, Mrs.Gaston laid down beside her upon the bed, and, in a little while was fast asleep.