nt the conversation was turned by Miss Millet suddenly
recalling to mind her brother's generous friend in China.

"You have no idea, Dick, how much good I have been able to do with that
money. Of course it could not pay for the swimming-bath, or the church,
or but here, I have a note of it all."

She pulled a soiled red note-book from her pocket and was about to refer
to it, when she was arrested by the grave, sad expression that had
overspread her brother's countenance.

"Ah, Molly," he said, "dear Clara Nibsworth was dying when I last saw
her, and I fear her father won't survive her long. You remember, I told
you the poor girl was delicate and her father old, and the excitement
and exertion of that night of the fire was too much for both of them.
When I arrived this time in China, I took a run up to their place to see
them, and found Clara almost at the point of death. I had little time
to spare, and meant to have returned the next day; but the poor
broken-down father entreated me so earnestly to remain that I at last
agreed to spend three days wi' them. Durin' that time I read the Bible
a good deal to the poor girl, and found that she had got her feet firm
on the Rock of Ages. She was very grateful, poor thing, and I never saw
one so unselfish. She had little thought about herself, although dyin'
and in great sufferin'. Her chief anxiety was about her old father, and
what he would do when she was gone.

"It was impossible for me to stay to the end, for no one could guess how
long the poor thing would hold out. I did my best to comfort the
father, and then I left, bringing away a kind message to you, my poor
Rosebud. She seems to have loved you dearly, and said you were very
kind to her at school."

Rose had covered her face with her hands, and with difficulty restrained
her tears.

"But you said the doctors had _some_ hope, father; didn't you?" she
asked.

"No, darling, the doctors had none--no more had I. It was her poor
father who hoped against hope. Death was written on her sweet face, and
it could not be far off. I doubt not she is now with the Lord. When I
was leaving, she gave me a small packet for you; but that, with
everything else in the _North Star_, has gone to the bottom. But we
must be goin' now," continued the captain, rising. "I see Jeff is
gettin' wearied--an' no wonder. Besides, it won't do to keep you two up
here talkin' till daylight."

Jeff protested that he was not weary