"Oh I know--I understand what that means!" cried Evelyn in anguished
accents, "he is dying!--my dear, dear father!"

"My poor child, my poor, dear child!" Elsie said, her tears falling fast,
"I can feel for you, for it is not very long since I stood by the
deathbed of a dear father. Flesh and heart fail in such a trial; but look
to Jesus for help and strength to endure, and he will sustain and comfort
you, as he did me."

"I can never, never bear it!" sobbed Evelyn, hiding her face on Elsie's
shoulder. "And papa--oh, how dreadful for him to have to go away all
alone! I wish I could go with him."

"That can not be, dear; but he will not go alone. 'Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me.' Jesus will be with him and he will need no one else."

"Yes; I know, and I am glad for him; but oh, who will be with me when he
is gone? Mamma is seldom at home, and cares nothing for having me with
her."

"God will raise up friends and companions for you, dear, and if you seek
the Lord Jesus, he will be to you a Friend indeed; One who sticketh
closer than a brother or father, or any earthly creature; a Friend who
will never die, never leave or forsake you."

For some moments there was silence in the room, broken only by Evelyn's
low sobs; but at length she spoke in trembling, tearful tones, "Will the
angels come and carry him to heaven, Aunt Elsie, as they did the poor
beggar, Lazarus, the Bible tells about?"