heir work was done, and
Abel Graham lay placidly upon the pure linen of his last bed, Mrs.
Macintyre suggested that Gladys should go home with her for the night.

'It's no' for ye bidin' here yersel', my doo,' she said, with homely but
sincere sympathy. 'My place is sma', but it's clean, an' ye're welcome
to it.'

Gladys shook her head.

'I don't mind staying here, I assure you. I have seen death before. It
is not dreadful to me,' she said, glancing at the calm, reposeful face
of her uncle, and being most tenderly struck by the resemblance to her
own father. Death is always kind, and will give us, when we least expect
it, some sudden compensation for what he takes from us. That faint
resemblance composed Gladys, and gave her yet more loving thoughts of
the old man. He had been kind when, in his own rugged way, the first
harshness of his bearing towards her had swiftly been mellowed by her
own sweet, subtle influence. We must not too harshly blame Abel Graham;
his environment had been of a kind to foster the least beautiful
attributes of his nature.

The only being Gladys could think of to help her with the other
arrangements was Mr. Fordyce. She seemed to turn naturally to him in her
time of need. A message sent to St. Vincent Street in the morning
brought him speedily, and he greeted her with a mixture of fatherly
compassion and sympathy which broke her down.

'You see it has not been long,' she said, with a quiver of the lips. 'I
do not know what to do, or how to act. I thought you would know
everything.'

'I know what is necessary here, at least, my dear, and it shall be
done,' he said kindly. 'The first thing I would suggest is that you
should come home with me just now.'

Gladys looked at him wonderingly, and shook her head.

'You are very kind, but that is quite impossible,' she said quickly. 'I
shall not leave here until all is over, and then I do not know what I
shall do. God will show me.'

The lawyer was deeply moved.

'My dear young lady, has it never occurred to you that there might be
something left for you, a substantial provision, which will place you
at once above the need of considering what you are to do, so far as
providing for yourself is concerned?'

'I have not thought about it. Is it so?' she asked quickly, yet not with
the eager elation of the expectant heir.

'You are very well left indeed,' he answered. 'If you like, I can
explain it to you now.'

But Gladys shrank a little as