I can't bear it!" she cried again and again. "Ned is all I have,
and it will kill me to lose him. Nobody can know how I suffer at the
very thought."

"My dear," Elsie said, with a voice trembling with emotion, "you forget
that Edward is my dearly loved son, and that I have two others, who are
no less dear to their mother's heart, on board that vessel."

"Forgive me, mamma," Zoe sobbed, taking Elsie's hand and dropping tears
and kisses upon it. "I did forget, and it was very shameful, for you are
so kind and loving to me, putting aside your own grief and anxiety to
help me in bearing mine. But how is it yon can be so calm?"

"Because, dear, I am enabled to stay my heart on God, my Almighty
Friend, my kind, wise, Heavenly Father. Listen, love, to these sweet
words: 'O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee? or to
thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the roaring of the sea:
when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them.'"

"They are beautiful," said Betty, who sat near, in a despondent
attitude, her elbow on her knee, her cheek in her hand. "Oh, Cousin
Elsie, I would give all the world for your faith, and to be able to find
the comfort and support in Bible promises and teachings that you do!"

The outer door opened, and Mr. Dinsmore and Captain Raymond came in,
their waterproof coats dripping with rain.

They had been out on the edge of the cliff taking an observation, though
it was little they could see through the darkness; but occasionally the
lightning's lurid flash lit up the scene for a moment, and afforded a
glimpse of the storm-tossed deep.

"Be comforted, ladies," the captain said; "there are at least no signs
of any vessel in distress; if any such were near, she would undoubtedly
be firing signal-guns. So I think we may hope my conjecture that our
boys are safe in harbor somewhere, is correct."

"And the storm is passing over," said Mr. Dinsmore; "the thunder and
lightning have almost ceased."

"But the wind has not fallen, and that is what makes the great danger,
grandpa, isn't it?" asked Zoe. "Oh, hark, what was that? I heard a step
and voice!" And rushing to the outer door as she spoke, she threw it
open, and found herself in her husband's arms.

"O Ned, Ned!" she cried, in a transport of joy, "is it really you? Oh, I
thought I should never see you again, you dear, dear, _dear_ boy!"

She clung round his neck, and he held her close, with many a caress and
endearing wor