CHAPTER VIII.
THE HAPPY END.
Elsli's bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.

During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.

One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
"I don't feel very well, Aunt Clarissa," said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.

Clarissa was startled to see her heavy eyes and feverish cheeks.
"What ails you, my dear girl ?" she asked, tenderly, stroking the hot head with her cool hand, and trying to conceal the anxiety that she felt.
"Not much, I think," answered Elsli, with a faint smile; "I haven't been feeling very well for a week or two; I have had a good many dizzy turns and I've been hot and restless.

I've heard you come up to bed every night though it was so late." "Why didn't you speak to me, dear?
I might have done something to make you sleep." "I didn't want to trouble you and it was really nothing.