at
dreadful time, there was no person so afflicted as she, who had lost
four at a blow. But she rose from her sorrow with that buoyant faith
and hopefulness which nothing could for long depress.

"There is unfinished work to do. Gaspar left it when he went away,
knowing I would take it up for him if he could never do it for
himself. There is no time in life for unavailing sorrow. Come, Kitty,
child. Others have their dead to bury, let us go forth and comfort
them."

Obedient Kitty went, her thoughts full of wonder and admiration:

"By massacre, famine, pestilence, and the sword! How has my dear 'Sun
Maid' been chastened, and how beautifully she has come through it all!
She could not have been half so lovely as a girl, when Grandfather met
and wooed her that morning on the prairie. I wonder have her trials
ended? or are there more in store before she is made perfect? I cannot
think of anything still which could befall her, unless I die or her
beloved city come to ruin. Well, I'll walk with her, hand in hand, and
if I live, I'll be as like her as I can."

CHAPTER XXIV.

CONCLUSION.

"What shall we do to celebrate your birthday, my child?" asked
Grandmother Kitty, early in that first week of October on whose
Saturday the young girl would reach to the dignity of sixteen years.
"All the conditions of your life are so different from mine at your
age: seeming to make you both older and younger--if you understand
what I mean--that I would like to hear your own wishes."

"They shall be yours, Grandma dearest. You always have such happy
ideas. I'd like yours best."

"No, indeed! Not this time. I want everything to be exactly as you
like this year; especially since you are now to assume the main charge
of some of our charities."

"I feel so unfitted for the responsibility you are giving me, Sun
Maid. I'm afraid I shall make many blunders."

"Doesn't everybody? And isn't it by seeing wherein we blunder and
avoiding the pitfall a second time that we learn to walk surely and
swiftly? You have been well trained to know the value of the money
which God has given you so plentifully and of that loving sympathy
which is better and richer than the wealth. I am not afraid for you,
though it is an excellent sign that you are afraid for yourself. Now a
truce to sermons. Let's hear the birthday wish. I am getting an old
lady and don't like to be kept waiting."

"Sunny Maid! you are not old, nor ever will be!"

"Not in