work. It has been very hard, for often I have felt unable to be out of
bed; but then I could not let my Rosa suffer."

The intervals when the poor heartbroken woman had to stop to regain her
breath, were growing more frequent.

"But, dearest," she continued, and in her earnestness she raised herself
partly up, "the worst of all has been that I have tried to carry the
burden alone. Your father told me that I must be brave for your sake,
and that Jesus would help me; but I would not let Him.

"Last night and today I have been praying much, and now, thank God, it
is all right!"

Rosa wondered at the expression of joy flooding her mother's face,
immediately followed by one of deepest grief.

"Bend closer, darling, my voice is becoming so weak that you cannot
hear! I am so sorry that I did not do as your father said, and have
never taught you of Jesus, and now it is--too late!--I'm glad--the
lady--told you.--Yes,--He paid--the fare!--I'm--going--to move--now--to
that--beautiful land!"

"Oh, mother," sobbed Rosa, beginning to realize a little of the import
of her words, "please, oh, please don't leave me! What could I ever do
without you? Nobody loves me but you and grandpa, and I just can't stand
it, if you go away."

With her last atom of strength, the dying mother kissed her child,
whispering just so that Rosa could hear: