that feebly-lighted room the solemn
silence seemed to grow more painful, Richard felt a strange thrill of
awe pass through him: for he knew that the words she softly whispered to
herself were words of prayer.

After a time, Mrs Jenkles softly opened the door and peered in.

"Can I do anything for you, my dear?" she said, gently.

"Yes," said Netta, in a faint whisper; "come here. Kiss me and say
good-bye," she continued, after a pause. "Now go and tell Sam I have
prayed for a blessing on you both for your kindness to the poor creature
you found in such distress."

Mrs Jenkles's sorrow, in spite of herself, found vent in a wail; and
she hurried out of the room to weep alone by her own fireside.

Then an hour passed without a change, only that twice over the great
soft, dilated eyes opened widely to gaze wonderingly about till they
rested on Richard, when a faint smile came on the poor wan face, the
thin cheek nestled down into the strong man's hand, and a faint sigh of
content fluttered from the lips of the dying girl.

It must have been nearly eleven when Netta opened her eyes widely.

"They are very long," she said, in a harsh, cracked voice--"Very long;
he must come soon. Why did I not think of it before?"

"She must soon return," said Richard. "Shall I send?"

"No, no! It would be no use," she whispered; and her great loving eyes
rested fondly on his for a moment. "Do not let go of my hand, and I
shall not feel afraid."

She sank back once more, but only to start at the end of a few moments.

"He's coming--yes, he's coming now."

Richard strained his ears to listen, but there was not a sound; but as a
smile of content came once more upon the anxious features, there was the
roll of distant cab wheels, and he knew that the senses of the dying
girl were preternaturally quickened.

The next minute the wheels stopped at the door, and there were steps on
the stairs.

"He has come!" cried the girl, joyfully. "Lift me up in your arms,
Richard, that I may see him."

As he responded to her wish, and held her up with her head resting upon
his shoulder, the door opened, and, to his intense astonishment, the
handsome man of fashion, looking sallow, haggard, and ten years older,
with the great drops of sweat upon his face, and his hair clinging wetly
to his brow, half staggered into the room.

"Papa, dear papa!" wailed the girl, stretching out one hand; and with a
groan, as he read in her wasted features