wanted to tell your poor mother of
my promise to your father, and, though it made my heartache, I
determined to go myself.

"I found her, with you by her side.

"`Here is father,' you cried out, but your mother looked up, and seemed
to know in a moment what had happened.

"`Where is Michael?' she asked.

"`You know, Mary, your husband and I promised to look after each other's
children, if one was taken and the other left; and I mean to keep my
promise to look after you and your little boy.'

"Your mother knew, by what I said, that your father was gone.

"`God's will be done,' she murmured; `He knows what is best--I hope soon
to be with him.'

"Before the month was out we carried your poor mother to her grave, and
I took you to live with granny and Nelly.

"There, Michael, you know all I can tell you about yourself. I have had
hard times now and then, but I have done my duty to you; and I say
again, Michael, you have always been a good and dutiful boy, and not a
fault have I had to find with you."

"Thank you, father, for saying that; and you will still let me call you
father, for I cannot bring myself to believe that I am not really your
son."

"That I will, Michael; a son you have always been to me, and my son I
wish you to remain. And, Michael, as I have watched over you, so I want
you to watch over my little Nelly. Should I be called away, be a
brother and true friend to her, for I know not to what dangers she may
be exposed. Granny is old, and her years on earth may be few, and when
she is gone, Michael, Nelly will have no one to look to but you. She
has no kith nor kin, that I know of, able or willing to take care of
her. Her mother's brother and only sister went to Australia years ago,
and no news has ever come of them since, and my brothers found their
graves in the deep sea, so that Nelly will be alone in the world. That
is the only thing that troubles me, and often makes me feel sad when we
are away at night, and the wind blows strong and the sea runs high, and
I think of the many I have known who have lost their lives in stouter
boats than mine. But God is merciful; He has promised to take care of
the widow and orphan, and He will keep His word. I know that, and so I
again look up and try to drive all mistrustful thoughts of His goodness
from my mind."

"Father, while I have life I will take care of Nelly, and pray for her,
and, if needs be, fight for her," exclaimed Michael.

He spoke