"None could be better than the present," he answered.

On a gently sloping hillside, and beneath the shade of a beautiful
magnolia, they found what they sought: a grave, with a headstone on which
was carved the inscription:

"Fell asleep in Jesus,
March 15, 18--,
ELSIE, WIFE OF HORACE DINSMORE,
and only remaining child of
WILLIAM AND ELSPETH GRAYSON,
Aged 16 years, and 2 weeks.
'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'"

They read it standing side by side.

"How young," murmured the daughter, tears filling her eyes, "how young to
be a wife, a mother, and to die and leave husband and child! Oh, papa, how
I used to long for her, and dream of her--my own precious mamma!"

"When, my darling?" he asked in moved tones, drawing her tenderly to him
and passing an arm about her waist.

"Before I knew you, papa, and before you began to love me so dearly and be
father and mother both, to me, as you have been for so many years," The
low, sweet voice was tremulous with emotion, and the soft eyes lifted to
his were brimming over with tears of mingled grief and joy, gratitude and
love.