Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/172

164 My little girl—I have laid her in His arms who bade little children come unto Him. She is now His; and, indeed—indeed, my heart is not troubled about her."

"Thank you, dear father, for long ago sending me your forgiveness for what you were so kind as to call my 'only disobedience.' I think it is easy for the good to forgive. As I draw near home, I am always with you in my dreams. I see the white cottage and the hedge; and last night you and sister kissed me."

"There is a woman here kind to me. I shall leave a request to the British consul to send Juliet to you. God has given me his peace, father. Don't you and sister mourn for me. Let Juliet take my place. Farewell!—once more I kiss you and sister.

Death came sooner than Mary expected; and her child, instead of being placed in the consul's hands, was apparently left with no other dependance than the uncertain charities of a worthless woman. But He who never forsakes the orphan committed to him had, as Mr. Barlow expressed it, led this lost lamb into the right fold. He steeped Mary's letter in his tears—tears of natural