tainly. You must invite him, Hubert."

"Winnie," said her brother, "I seem to have a spirit of prophesy upon
me to-night. Almost I can see the path before us with some of its
lights and shadows. Oh, there will be compensations for all sorrows!"

"I know it," she said earnestly.

"You will say it is my own great joy that God has given that makes me
prophesy. Perhaps it is. But I see this, Winnie; He will never be in
our debt when we yield our all to Him. Sweet surprises, unlooked for
joys, will be thrown in all the way. Goodness and mercy shall follow
us all our days!"

"I believe it, Hubert, and then--we shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever!"

He drew her to the low open window, and they stepped together into the
balcony. The lights of the city were still burning, but in the east a
flickering star was proclaiming the not distant advent of a greater
light.

"Do you see the parable in lights, Winnie? See how brightly the street
is lighted. No one need lose his way or bemoan the darkness, though it
is night. But yonder is a prophet of a fuller light. He is saying,
'The sun will come.' Here is my parable: It is night, surely, while
our Lord is still away. But He gives us light. No way will ever be
cheerless for you and me, little sister. I know He will give me as I
go numberless pleasures, fresh interests, and boundless consolation in
Himself for all that is left behind. And for you, Winifred, I almost
see some rare, sweet blessings over your dear head, just ready to fall
upon it."

"Yes," said Winifred, "I am sure it's true. I have been singing to-day,

"'Glory to Thee for all the grace
I have not tasted yet!'"

"These are like the lights in the city, Winnie, but there is a day-star
in our hearts that is foretelling the perfect day. Presently the grace
of the journeying shall give way to the eternal glory--to the
homecoming! Look, sister, do you see that impulse of the dawn, as
though the darkness pulsated with premonition of its coming?"

"Yes," said Winifred, with deep gladness in her voice. "The coming of
the Lord draweth nigh."

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIRST SOPRANO***

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