"I hope there is nothing serious ailing dear mamma," Violet said rather anxiously to herself, as the carriage rolled swiftly on toward Ion; "there was really nothing in her note to indicate it, but she has never been one to complain of even a pretty serious ailment.

She is not old yet; we may hope to keep her with us for many, many years.

But then she is so good--so ripe for heaven!" And a silent prayer went up to God that the dear mother might be spared for many years to help others on their pilgrim way, especially her children and grandchildren.

"For oh, how we need her!" was the added thought; "what could we ever do without her--the dear, kind, loving mother to whom we carry all our troubles and perplexities, sure of comfort, the best of advice, and all the help in her power to give.

Dear, dear mamma! Oh, I have never prized her as I ought!" It was only the previous evening that Mrs.Travilla herself had learned that she was assailed by more than a trifling ailment.