e. I can't part with it yet,
but when I am gone."

She then mentioned that she had pointed out to her nurse the spot where
she wished to be buried, and added that she did not want any monument,
but just a plain white stone with her name and age, and a text of
Scripture.

"That is all, and thank you very much, dear auntie," she said, when
Adelaide had finished writing down her directions; "now, please put the
pen in my fingers and hold the paper here, and I think I can sign my
name."

She did so quite legibly, although her hand trembled with weakness; and
then, at her request, the paper was folded, sealed, and placed in her
desk, to be given after her death to her father, along with the packet.

It was evidently a great relief to Elsie to get these things off her
mind, yet talking so long had exhausted all her little strength, and
Adelaide, much alarmed at the death-like pallor of her countenance,
and the sinking of her voice, now insisted that she should lie quiet and
try to sleep.

Elsie made an effort to obey, but her fever was returning, and she was
growing very restless again.

"I cannot, Aunt Adelaide," she said at length, "and I want to tell you a
little more to say to papa, for I may not be able again. I am afraid he
will not come until I am gone, and he will be so sorry; my poor, poor
papa! Tell him that I loved him to the very last; that I longed to ask
him to forgive me for all the naughty, rebellious feelings I have ever
had towards him. Twice, since he has been displeased with me, I have
rebelled in my heart--once when he refused to give me Miss Allison's
letter, and again when he sent mammy away; it was only for a few moments
each time; but it was very wicked, and I am very sorry."

Sobs choked her utterance.

"Poor darling!" said Adelaide, crying bitterly. "I don't think an angel
could have borne it better, and I know he will reproach himself for his
cruelty to you."

"Oh, Aunt Adelaide, _don't_ say that; don't _let_ him reproach himself,
but say all you can to comfort him. I am his child--he had a right--and
he only wanted to make me good--and I needed it all, or God would not
have permitted it."

"Oh, Elsie, darling, I _cannot_ give you up! you _must not_ die!" sobbed
Adelaide, bending over her, her tears falling fast on Elsie's bright
curls. "It is too hard to see you die so young, and with so much to live
for."

"It is very _sweet_ to go home so soon," murmured the soft, low voice of
th