possible to tell. But we can hardly both be spared from home. It
should be kept from grandpa as long as possible, and if he saw us both
rushing off in the direction she has taken, he would know at once that
something very serious had happened her."

"Yes, you are right, and for the first time I envy you your medical
knowledge and skill. She's with Virginia, the message is sent by her,"
glancing again at the paper which he still held in his hand. "I'm glad of
that--that she has at least one of her children with her, if----"

He paused and Arthur finished the sentence. "If she will be of any use or
comfort to her, you were about to say? Well, we can only hope that so
terrible an emergency has developed some hitherto unsuspected excellencies
in Virginia's character."

A horse came galloping up the avenue. Calhoun glanced from the window.

"Another telegram!" he cried, and both brothers dashed out upon the
veranda.

This was directed to Calhoun, sent from Philadelphia by their uncle Edward
Allison. He and Adelaide would be with Mrs. Conly in two hours, telegraph
at once in what condition they found her, and if practicable start with
her immediately for her home.

The brothers consulted together, and Arthur decided to go on with his
preparations, but delay setting out upon his journey until the coming of
the promised message.

It came in due time, and from it they learned that their mother was
already on her way home.

The sad tidings had now to be communicated to the other near relatives,
but it was deemed best to keep them from the younger children and the
feeble old father until the day when she might be expected to arrive.

As gently and tenderly as possible the old gentleman's son broke the news
to him.

He was much overcome. "She will never get over it, I fear," he sighed, the
tears coursing down his furrowed cheeks. "One bereavement is apt to tread
closely upon the heels of another, and she will probably soon follow her
sister. But oh if I only knew that she had been washed from her sins in
the precious blood of Christ, that she had accepted His invitation, 'Come
unto me,' so that death would be but falling asleep in Him, safe in His
arms, safe on His gentle breast--I think I could let her go almost
willingly, for my race is well nigh run, and it can hardly be long ere I
too shall get my summons home."

"Dear father, if such be the will of God, may you be spared to us for many
years yet," returned his son