Is there not yet a better and a brighter day for even
us?"

"There is, Cara! There is!" replied Ellis, in tones of confidence. "It
has been a long, long night, Cara; a cold and cheerless night. But the
morning breaks. There is not much strength left in this poor arm," and
he extended his right hand, that trembled like an aspen leaf--"but it
can yet do something. It shall not be with us as it has been any
longer. In the sight of Heaven, and in the hope of strength from above,
I promise that, Cara. Will you help me to keep my promise?"

"Yes--yes--yes," was the emphatic response. "If there is in me a
particle of strength, it is yours, and you may lean on it confidently.
Oh, Henry! trust in me. The lessons of the past have not been learned
in vain."

"I am very weak, Cara; the pressure of a child's hand might throw me
over. Do not forget this. Never forget it! If you will keep close to my
side, if you will help me, and love me,"--his voice quivered, and he
paused, but regained himself in a few moments--"I think all will be
well with us again. God helping me, I will try."

"Oh, my husband!" sobbed Mrs. Ellis, drawing her arms lovingly about
him--"it will be well with us, for God will help you, I will help you,
all will help you. Forget? Oh, no! I can never forget. Have we not all
been thoughtful of you, and kind to you in the night that is passing
away?"

"Yes, Cara, yes."

"And will we not be kinder and more loving in the brighter future? We
will! we will, Henry! Oh! how my glad heart runs over!"

"I saw Mr. Wilkinson yesterday," said Ellis, after both had grown
calmer; "and he said that he could and would get me a situation as
clerk. I am now going to see him, and, if he be as good as his word,
this desert place"--and he glanced about the room--"will soon brighten
as the rose."

The entrance of Kate closed the interview. In a little while, Ellis,
after shaving himself, and in every possible way improving his
appearance, left the house and went direct to the store of Wilkinson.

"Henry! Is it possible!" exclaimed the latter, in surprise, when Ellis
stood before him.

"In my right mind again," was the calm, but firmly spoken answer.

"How glad I am to hear you say so!" And Wilkinson grasped the hand of
his old friend, and shook it warmly.

"You remember your promise of yesterday?" said Ellis. He spoke
seriously.

"To get you a good situation?"

"Yes."

"I have not forgotten my word, Henry; and will kee