"I see her!" cried the sick woman. "I see the child! Lord, save her!
Lord, save her!"

The two women hurried in, and found her sitting up in bed, her eyes
wide, her arm outstretched, pointing--at what? Involuntarily they
turned to follow the pointing finger, and saw the yellow-washed wall,
and the wreath of autumn leaves that always hung there.

"What is it, Rejoice?" cried Mandy, terrified. "What do you see? Is it
a spirit? Tell us, for pity's sake!"

But even at that moment a change came. The rigid muscles relaxed, the
whole face softened to its usual peaceful look; the arm dropped
gently, and Rejoice Dale sank back upon her pillow and smiled.

"Thy rod and thy staff!" she said. "Thy rod and thy staff! they
comfort me." And for the first time since Melody was lost, she fell
asleep, and slept like a little child.




CHAPTER IX.

BLONDEL.


Noontide in the great city! The July sun blazes down upon the brick
sidewalks, heating them through and through, till they scorch the bare