CHAPTER XX.

Conclusion.

"GIVE me a packet of old letters that I may recall the loved forms, faces, and voices of the distant and the dead."

several things, and I do not think my

scarcely know which to tell first. mind will ever be so clear and clever as yours; besides, you know I am a very wretched letter-writer, never knowing where to begin or what to say; and oh, dear Nelly, I never know how to 'wind up.' I must tell you of a letter from dear Mabel-how very happy she and Herbert are; how devoted she is to the little Helen -your namesake; how wonderfully she takes to the missionary work-teaching the women and girls: her letter has done me good. I wonder, shall I ever be of so much use in the world-I would like.

May has written me a long letter-such a dear letter. She is just the same sweet, dear May, though she says the importance of being her brother's housekeeper sits rather heavy on her shoulders, and that she is often glad to go home and sit at Papa's side. While she asks a few questions from you and Richard, she says she is in hopes Willie may marry soon so that she may go home to Ashfields-[to be with you all again, is her meaning I am sure]. Richard's taste in architecture must be something grand if I am to credit all May says of

his wonderful genius. We shall, if all is well, be with you this summer. Give my love and best thanks to dear Dick for the flower-seeds and cuttings he sent me: I have planted the cuttings, and sown the seeds, so I shall expect something very pretty by-and-by. We are delighted to know that uncle is so happy and still able to give so much time to God's work.

"Darling, I have another thing to tell you; I think you will like it—papa and mamma do, and I do myself— I am engaged to be married to your old friend Mr. Becket. He will write to tell you some of these first days himself, but I felt that you should hear from me first. Do you think I am a proper person for a minister's wife? He thinks so, so does his mother-she is on a visit to Alfred, and called on me to-day—I think I shall love her very much. She thinks her son all that is good and noble, but not more than does your loving cousin

"EMILY."

Lottie to Helen.

"MY DEAREST Sister,

"Whilst Charlie is away on one of his rather wearying journeys, I will try to write in reply to your last. I wish I could say all the nice things I feel towards you, dearest Nelly. When I read your letter, I had to put my arms about Charles to give him a good 'hug,' and dance baby all around the room to expend some of my joy. If I could just put an arm about you and give you a kiss as I wish you joy, and stand on tiptoe (as I should have to) to kiss my dear new brother Richard, and look on dear father's smiling face; ah, if I could-but really, I do see you often in imagination. Shall I show you my new picture, that has only been painted a short time? Yes, you will like to see it. First-I see you on the low chair you use for sewing or reading. Father has just come in from

some 'meeting,' and is putting his warm slippers on. On the other side of the fireplace is another pair of slippers. You look up to the clock, and say, 'He won't be long now, papa.' I don't see 'Mary,' but a stranger brings in the tray. After a time, I see Richard ride up to the garden gate; he throws the reins to John, who leads the horse to the new stables at the bottom of the kitchen garden. The hall-door opens, then there is a little run of some one from the room where tea is laid. This some one takes Dick's hat and whip from him, then with tall, handsome Dr. Burns walks demurely into the room as if she never thought of such a thing as lifting a pair of rosy lips to be paid for hanging up his hat and coat or whip. There is a friendly greeting between father and Dick. Tea is poured out-cosy, happy English tea hour. There is some pleasant conversation, some reading, some music. As the time goes on, time for prayer comes; the Bible is placed on the table, Richard reads, father prays. I am listening-hush. 'Remember the children in distant lands,' he says solemnly; 'Charlie, Herbert, Mabel, Lottie, with their dear ones. Lord Jesus, watch over them for good; bless them and make them a blessing.' Nelly, love, I often hear such words in my heart. I can never forget his last words to us-'I pray for you every day.' So I am sure he and all of you do for us. Is that the kind of picture there is in your beautiful Ashfields? We have not heard very lately from Herbert and Mabel, but we are glad to learn they are successful in their work and so much loved by the people. Dearest sister-sister in heart long before Charlie made me his happy wife-pray for me, and my dear Charlie. We need your prayers. Don't forget us.

"I will send you a photograph of my sweet boy as soon as possible. He is so active and full of fun. Soon

as ever I place him on my knee in what I think a nice position, and all is ready, up goes a fat leg or a dimpled arm; so, of course, he spoils the picture. I am so sorry, because I want you to see him so much.

"The ayah looks in to say 'the master is coming.' Here he is, and has thrown himself down to cool, while he gives me a message to you all. He says I am to say to you for him the very words Mr. Aubrey said to Herbert and Mabel at the conclusion of his remarks on the morning they were married. You will remember, dear. I am to say further, that 'Nelly is a lucky girl, and Dick a happy man.' To dear, dear father, I am to say that 'God has chosen his sons and daughter-in-law for him, we all so exactly suit each other.' There, that is a compliment to me. And, ah! Nelly, dear, there is no music in the world so sweet to my ears as Charlie's praises. How good and tender he is to me; how he passes by all my faults; and how quick he is to see anything that is wise and good in his little wife. Many times my heart says, 'Thank God for such a husband.' I leave a kiss JUST HERE. I shall place this on Charlie's lips too, and precious baby's; so take this page, and press it to your own lips, for thereon are 'true love kisses.' I must ask you, for the sake of the old happy days at Northport, to remember us, and,—by the remembrance of the hour in which we consecrated ourselves to God,-to pray for us. "Love to father, to Richard, to your dear self,— "Your sister,

"LOTTIE."

Mabel to Helen.

"MY DEAREST SISTER,

"Herbert and myself have sat down a full hour

to talk over your last letter, signed 'Helen Burns.'

"Nelly, dearest and best of sisters, God is paying you for all the love and care you gave to us when we were in such need of care and guidance.

You

"I am so glad for you-more than I could write—so you must imagine all your love deserves, and your sister would say. I hope God's blessing will rest upon you and your dear husband. How much I would like to peep in to see you, as you describe yourselves. In the days to come, if it please God, we shall, and that in our pretty, dear old home, with our sister and our dear new brother, and last, but not least, with our beloved father, sitting, as you say, 'in his usual chair, in his own place, his reading table close to his side, his books before him-he, as happy as ever, quietly waiting till he shall see us again, here or in heaven.' We shall see him 'here,' we think. How I loved Richard, when I read in papa's letter these words: 'If God took away one son, and has carried others to distant climes, He has given me another in Helen's husband. He is son and friend to me.' will rejoice to know, that we are as happy as a devoted husband and trusting wife can be. Herbert is greatly loved. His kind words and courteous manners win for him golden opinions amongst the natives, as well as from the Europeans here. Has not our God hedged us about, Nelly? Has not He been faithful and true? So Willie is to be the head of the firm soon. We are glad to know that; it will so much relieve our dear father. We did not understand Willie, I think. His shrewd inquiries and calculating mind were for business; but we hardly understood them-did we ? Herbert thinks he will make a very clever merchant. I hope he may make the best of both worlds'-he is a brave lad to avoid the company of the gay and frivolous. I am glad he holds the affections of his Sunday-school class.