too. Take us into the everlasting arms of Love while
we go to sleep. Amen."
Jewel brushed away the tears as she ceased, and with her usual quickness
of motion, jumped out of bed to get a handkerchief. Turning on the
electric light, she went to the chair over which hung the dotted dress.
She remembered having slipped a clean handkerchief into its pocket
before going to dinner.
In reaching for it her fingers encountered a scrap of paper in the
depths of the pocket. She drew it forth. It was folded. She opened it
and found it written over in a clear round hand.
"Is my little darling loving every one around her? People do not always
seem lovely at first, but remember that every one is lovable because he
is a thought of God. Those who seem unlovely are always unhappy, too,
in their hearts. We must help them, and the best way to help is to love.
Mother is thinking about her little Jewel, and no seas can divide us."
A slow smile gladdened the child's tear-stained face. She read the
message again, then turned out the light for the last time and cuddled
down in bed, her warm cheek pressing the scrap of paper in her hand, her
breath still catching.
"Mother has spoken to us, Anna Belle," she whispered, clasping the
doll close. "Wasn't it just like God to let her!" Then she fell asleep
smiling.
CHAPTER VIII
A HAPPY BREAKFAST
Mrs. Forbes was on the porch next morning when Mr. Evringham returned
from his canter.
"Fine morning, Mrs. Forbes," he said, as he gave Essex Maid into Zeke's
hands.
"Very fine. A regular weather breeder. It'll most probably rain
to-morrow, and what I wanted to speak to you about, Mr. Evringham, is,
that the child hasn't any rubbers."
"Indeed? What else does she need?"
"Well, nothing that I can see. Her things are all good, and she's got
enough of them. The trouble is she says she has never worn rubbers and
doesn't want to, and if she gets sick I shall have to take care of her;
so I hope, sir, you'll say that she must have them."
"Not wear them? Of course she must wear them," returned Mr. Evringham
brusquely. "Get them to-day, if convenient, Mrs. Forbes."
The housekeeper looked relieved.
"I hope she's not making you any trouble, eh?" added Mr. Evringham.
"Not any more than she can help, I suppose," was the grudging reply.
"She's a smart child, and being an only one, she's some notional. She
won't eat this and that, and doesn't want to wear rubbers, but she's
handy and n
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