repressed her inclination to relieve her over-burdened heart by sobs and
sighs.

She remained close at his side, gently fanning him, for the day was
oppressively hot.

But presently he opened his eyes, and fixed them upon her face with a
long look of tenderest love and sympathy--a look that impressed itself
indelibly upon her memory and was often, in after years, dwelt upon with
feelings of strangely mingled joy and grief.

"My darling," he murmured at length, so low that her quick ear scarce
caught the words, "my precious child, I leave you to the care of Him who
is a Father of the fatherless. I have been pleading with Him for you;
pleading His promise to those who trust in Him--'I will be a God to thee
and to thy seed after thee.' It is an everlasting covenant, and shall
never fail. Seek Him, my darling, seek Him with all your heart, and He
will be your God forever and ever: your Guide even unto death."

"I will, papa, I will," she whispered, pressing her quivering lips to his
cheek.

The end did not come that day; for another week the loved sufferer
lingered in pain and weakness, borne with Christian fortitude and
resignation.

For the most part his mind was clear and calm, the joy of the Lord his
strength and stay; yet were there moments when doubts and fears assailed
him.