'But people might think, my child'

'My dear mother, what does it signify what people think?' interrupted Theodora brusquely.

'It does signify, Theo, to a certain extent,' answered Mrs. Astley; and I believe it is our duty to avoid misconstruction as far as we can. The reason I spoke to you about it is this, my dear. If, at any future time, you or Alfred should have it in your power to do what I have longed to do, I should like some such words as these to be engraven on the stone.'

Theodora flushed crimson as her mother gave her a paper, on which was written a short inscription to her father's memory, followed by a notice of little Georgey.

And as to me,' continued Mrs. Astley, 'you may put what you please underneath that in reference to your mother.'

Mrs. Astley smiled as she finished speaking, and looked at her daughter; but Theodora threw herself on her knees by her mother, and sobbed upon her lap. Her heart was full of love and sorrow, mixed with joy that her mother's longing would be soon fulfilled. She could not have told what feeling was the uppermost. Her first impulse was to tell all about the stone; but she was checked by the thought of little Edith's disappointment if the secret were to be betrayed prematurely. But that afternoon she wrote to the stone mason, to whom she had been recommended by her ever kind helper and friend, Mr. Morgan, and ordered the inscription to be engraved exactly as her mother had written it; and then she laid her head down on the desk, and had a good cry.

CHAPTER XLI.

Mrs. Haynes' way of doing no harm'-Mr. Morgan tells Theodora the worst-Gertrude contrasts herself with Theodora-Her gloomy state of mind-Theodora's parallel for argumentGertrude sees clearly at last.

ERTRUDE did not rally from her weakness, nor did she throw off the depression of spirits from which she suffered.

'Is it true,' little Alice would ask of Mrs. Haynes, the farmer's wife, 'is it true that Gerty did kill poor little Georgey?'

'Bless you, no, child! Whoever went and put that in your head?' answered Mrs. Haynes. 'Little Georgey tumbled in the pond, bless the little heart of him! which I have said again and again that that there pond shouldn't ought to be left unprotected by never no hurdles or nothing. If it ain't a lesson to somebody now, which I won't mention any names, my name isn't Sarah Haynes.' 'But Gertie says she killed Georgey,' remarked Willy. 'Stuff and nonsense, my child! Gerty is in the deliriums, and knows no more of what she is talking than

that milking-stool there; and I am sure it was enough to send any one into the deliriums to see that blessed lamb pulled out of the duck-pond. There, don't talk to me no more, my dear; it make me that low to speak of it. Go out, feed the chicken, do'ee now ;' and the kindhearted woman put her apron to her eyes, and had a little cry before she resumed her work.

'There!' soliloquized she, 'I'll just take and send Mrs. Astley a bouquet of flowers, and a dozen new-laid eggs; it can't do no harm, any way.'

'No harm!' it is such little thoughtful kindnesses that do all the good in the world to people who are unhappy. It is a great thing to feel that others care for us. Remember you may not have many opportunities of doing great things, but we may all show sympathy, even by such little acts as this of the farmer's wife, which cost her nothing but the kind thought. If all girls would start in life with this text as a maxim, 'No man liveth to himself,' and would try in every day and every hour to in some way live to others, what a happy world this might be, with regard to sympathy and social kindness! There never was a greater mistake in the world than for any one of us to attempt to stand alone; and there is one great truth which we cannot learn too early, that all these little offices of kindness fall to the hands of women to do. Men have usually, or ought to have, the hard work of the world. I have no doubt that in Eden Adam did all the digging of the garden, and left to Eve the training of the flowers.

Dangerous Condition of Gertrude.

329

Gertrude dwelt always upon that one subject-that she had killed little Georgey-and she seemed to get no rest day or night from the horrible thought. She never recovered the effects of those hours of exposure to the storm and rain; her delicate constitution had received too severe a shock.

It was not many days after the funeral of little Georgey that Mr. Morgan, who was frequently now in the house, said to Theodora

"That child is killing herself, Theo, with self-reproach. When I think over the whole business, I feel no patience with those Clarke girls, who were the cause of all the mischief.'

'Would it not be well to take Gertrude away from here for a time?' asked Theodora.

'No, my dear; it would as likely bring on the end as not.'

Mr. Morgan!' exclaimed Theodora, 'you do not really think that Gertie will die?'

'My poor Theo, you seem destined through life to help on the most melancholy occasions. But never mind; remember it is written, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting.'

'Do you think mamma knows, Mr. Morgan ?'

'I think she guesses.'

So Theodora returned to Gertrude. Notwithstanding her sister's opposition, she had insisted upon being with her; and, after a time, Gertrude had given in.

'What has Mr. Morgan been saying to you, Theo?'

asked Gertrude, directly her sister joined her. He has been telling you that I shall die? Ah! I know he has. I see it in your face. Now, it is of no use trying to tell stories about it. You cannot tell a story well, Theo, for you blush so. But it is no news to me, Theodora ; I have guessed it all along; and I don't care-I don't What should I live for? To do more mischief? To break mamma's heart, as I have well-nigh done already? I don't care.'

care.

Yet, for all that, Gertrude burst into hysterical tears.

'Gertie ! Gertie dear! do not guess at what Mr. Morgan said,' answered Theodora. 'I will tell you exactly what he told me: "That child is killing herself by self-reproach." Now, Gertie, you have no right to kill yourself. It is your duty to try and get better. It is your duty to look at all that has taken place in its proper light, instead of exaggerating it as you do.'

'What do I know about duty ?' asked Gertrude. 'I have never thought of anything but my own pleasure. Oh! Theodora, what a contrast to you! You have been a good daughter to mamma; a good sister to all of us; and I might have been like you. Theo, I am ashamed to look you in the face!'

'Oh! do not-do not talk so, Gertie,' said Theodora. 'If you only knew how we all love you.'

'I am a nice person to love,' said Gertrude. 'Now, Theodora, listen to me. Whatever you may say, I know what Mr. Morgan thinks of me; and I feel it myself. Everything is come to an end with me. I am only