dence was the result of Happy's continuous counsel to both of them; they had resolved to lay up all they could spare, and to wait four years if necessary.

"You hadn't ought to ask us to be patient no longer than that, Miss Happy," said Jack, when the bargain was made, and Happy laughingly promised not to interfere beyond that time. She knew Pauline would have good wages and good care with Julia, and be able to lay up most of what she earned; Jack had found a place as engineer on a local railway, whose terminus was at Hillside, so that it would not be absolute separation of the pair, the only difficulty was that Polly might take it into her head that she did not want to be a servant. But this did not prove a stumbling-block; the one we dread and provide for rarely falls in our way; and Happy's example had done more to render domestic service honorable and desirable among the mill-girls and mission-scholars in Canterbury, than a host of sermons or moral tales. Pauline knew plenty of girls who were willing to ask for and glad to accept old clothes, half-worn shoes, and patched flannels, but were indignant at the idea of " living

out."

Thanks to Happy's training, more thanks to her doing what she had done - Pauline only despised the beggarly pride that was neither ashamed to ask alms nor willing to work; and she had friends

enough in her own class who considered Happy Dodd had made service respectable. No; her only reluctance was in regard to leaving Happy, and Julia only objected to her on the same grounds; but where a person is truly unselfish there are few others, however well-intentional, who cannot be persuaded into accepting their good offices at last, and Pauline went back to Hillside with Mrs. Ireton, and became as useful and trustworthy as her teacher hoped and asked for her. She was really invaluable to Julia, and learned to love the children heartily, but Happy was once more all alone.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE year wore on into November, and Happy had not yet another inmate: she felt that it would not do for her to pass this winter alone, for the dull ail and creeping weakness had at last given definite warning, the finger of death had touched her now visibly, and she had the future to face close as we face a staring nightmare that looks into our eyes with near unwinking horror, and shortens our breath with its oppressive proximity.

She had gone to Doctor Sands as soon as the ominous spot appeared on her breast.

"I want to know the truth, Doctor," she said, and her face was so calm, her voice rang so true, the doctor hoped he could give her good news, but his face fell as soon as he saw that fatal swelling.

Hours of prayer had given Happy courage to ask the question, yet a mortal sickness stole over her as she received the wordless answer of Dr. Sands' expression.

"Shall I have to have it cut out?" she said, as

soon as she could speak. The doctor heard the tremor in her voice.

"No!" said he.

"I don't advise it, at all. You may live ten or twenty years, or die of something else if you let it alone, and you are not strong enough to bear an operation, Happy."

He meant to speak hopefully, but what an alternative like this offered did not bring much cheer. It was at best the remedy of another death, and the quickest instinct of life is to shrink from dying. Happy turned very pale and hid her face in her hands; the doctor brought her a glass of wine, but she would not take it. Presently she raised her head; the word had come to her.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh mine help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

And another promise chorused that "Fear not! for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am

the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour; I gave Egypt for thy ransom. Ethiopia and Seba for thee!"

The grand and tender words kindled light in her face and strength in her heart.

"I have called thee by thy name!"

Oh! this is no impersonal affection, no blind machinery, no "great creative principle" that speaks thus; it is the heart of a loving Father, an almighty Redeemer, a Spirit witnessing with our spirit, that comforts human fear and weakness with this wonderful assurance of love and help. The very terror of death fled away before this voice of the Conqueror, and Happy could look up and smile at Doctor Sands, who was brushing away a sort of dimness from his usually cool eyes, and looking very hard the other way.

She went home calm yet silent, as a man is who has looked into his grave, even though he is neither ready or resigned to lie down in it. She had left the matter in God's hands: as she had told Aunt Lavinia. He would not give her dying grace to live by, but it could not fail her in time of need. What remained now was to occupy herself more actively than ever for the good of those around her, for the time was short, and the night coming, wherein no man could work; and work came to her in a very unexpected way.