mouth in the chaff pillow to choke
his sobs. What was going to happen to Dolly? What could it be that made
him afraid of looking again into her patient and tranquil little face?

CHAPTER XIX.

THE GOLDEN CITY.

Tony lay there in the dark, overwhelmed by his unusual terror and sorrow,
until he heard the voice of old Oliver calling his name feebly. He
hurried to him, and found him still beside the bed where Dolly was lying.
He had taken off most of her clothes, and put her white nightgown over
the rest, that she might sleep warmly in them all the night, for her
little hands and feet felt very chilly to his touch. The fire had gone
out while they were away, and the grate looked very black and cheerless.
The room was in great disorder, just as they had left it, and the gas,
which was burning high, cast a cruel glare upon it all. But Tony saw
nothing except the dear face of Dolly, resting on one check upon the
pillow, with her curly hair tossed about it in confusion, and her open
eyes gathering a strange film. Beppo had made his way to her side, and
pushed his head under her lifeless little hand, which tried to pat it now
and then. Old Oliver was sitting on the bedstead, his eyes fastened upon
her, and his whole body trembled violently. Tony sank down upon his
knees, and flung his arm over Dolly, as if to save her from the unseen
power which threatened to take her away from them.

"Don't ky, gan-pa," she said, softly; "don't ky more than a minute. Nor
Tony. Are I going to die, gan-pa?"

"Yes, my little love," cried old Oliver, moaning as he said it.

"Where are I going to?" asked Dolly, very faintly.

"You're going to see my Lord and Master," he said; "him as loves little
children so, and carries them in his arms, and never lets them be
sorrowful or ill or die again."

"Does he live in a bootiful place?" she asked, again.

"It's a more beautiful place than I can tell," answered old Oliver. "The
Lord Jesus gives them light brighter than the sun; and the streets are
all of gold, and there are many little children there, who always see the
face of their Father."

"Dolly's going rere," said the little child, solemnly.

She smiled for a minute or two, holding Beppo's ear between her failing
fingers, and playing with it. Tony's eyes were dim with tears, yet he
could see her clear face clearly through them. What could he do? Was
there no one to help?

"Master, master!" he cried. "If the Lord Jesus is here he c