In the trouble and anxiety which had latterly clouded her life, she had often been comforted by the thought that at all events there was one warm heart and home open to her, but now all was lost, and her loneliness and friendlessness pressed heavily upon her.

Sob after sob shook her whole frame.
Essec Powell picked up the letter, and read it again.
"Well, well," he said, "to think that John, my brother, should go before me! Poor fellow, bach! To be taken so suddenly and unprepared as he was." "Oh, no, uncle," said Valmai, between her sobs, "he was not unprepared.
There never was a kinder soul, a more unselfish man, nor a more generous.

Oh, you don't know how good he was to the poor, how kind and gentle to every one who suffered! Oh, God has him in His safe keeping somewhere!" "Well, well," said Essec Powell, sitting down to his dinner, "we won't argue about it now, but some day, Valmai, I would like to explain to you the difference between that natural goodness and the saving grace which is necessary for salvation.

Come to dinner, Valmai.

I wonder how much did he leave?
When is the funeral ?" he said, addressing Gwen.
"You've got to go down and settle that," she answered.