moment, casting his bright eyes around the room.

"Isn't it nice and warm?" said Mary, as he leaned back.

The sick man murmured softly--

"Yes, child, it feels like home. God bless you. But your mother--did
she help to do this?"

Mary's countenance fell. She shrunk away from the glance of those
bright, questioning eyes.

"Mother has not been home in five or six days," she said, gently.

The sick man turned his head and closed his eyes. Directly, Mary saw
two great tears press through the quivering lashes, followed by a
faint gasping for breath.

"I have prayed--I have so hoped to see her before"--

He broke off; and Mary could see, by the glow upon his face, that
he was praying then.

She knelt down, reverently, and leaned her forehead upon the arm of
his chair.

After a little, Fuller opened his eyes, and lifting one pale hand
from his knee, laid it on his child's shoulder.

"Mary!"