o me now the most precious of
gifts--my wealth, my strength, nay the very learning, the very
cultivation I found so disappointing when unshared, I now esteem most
highly as increasing my capacities for doing good. Life is beautiful--O
good father, let me live."

And the wise man lifting his hands in benediction on the head of the
happy Abdallah, bade him go in peace, having entered upon the one only
path of endless and eternal blessedness.

FIFINE AND HER CAT.

Fifine was walking quietly up and down the garden path, her big cat,
Mimi, in her arms. From time to time she talked to Mimi, asking her
questions or telling her the thoughts passing through her mind, and when
Mimi purred, Fifine was quite satisfied that the cat was agreeing with
her. When she did not purr, and gave no signs of attending, Fifine would
give her a little shake, or even a pinch, which naturally made Mimi
squeak, and was supposed to mean she was _not_ this time of the same
opinion as Fifine. This had happened more than usual this morning, for
Fifine was in a rather irritable humour. She was not feeling pleased
with herself, and nothing makes little girls, and big people, too, more
uncomfortable than this.

[Illustration]

Suddenly, from a little distance came a well-known voice.

"Fifine, my child," it said, "you have not come to the little gate to
wish me good morning," and looking up, Fifine saw a tall figure, all
dressed in black, standing some way down the path. It was her kind
friend and neighbour, the old _cure_ or village clergyman, whose house
was at the other side of the high garden wall. In general Fifine was
delighted to see him, but this morning she walked towards him slowly,
making a sort of pretence that Mimi was too heavy for her.

"Where is Madeleine?" said the clergyman, his voice sounding grave.
Madeleine was Fifine's sister, and two years older. "She is not ill? Why
is she not with you?"

"She--she is in the house," she replied. She had glanced up for a moment
in his face, but the serious look in his eyes, generally so kind and
gentle, made her quickly turn hers down again.

"You will not tell me why she is not playing with you as usual, I see,"
he went on very gravely. "Shall _I_ tell _you_? It is because her little
sister got into a passion with her, really for no reason at all. Would
one believe it--this little sister slapped and knocked Madeleine, and
called her many naughty names? No wonder Madeleine stays i