over
to the bed, crouched down and let the light fall on Andy's face. The
large forehead, soiled as it was, looked white to the man's eyes, and
the brown matted hair, as he drew it through his fingers, was soft and
beautiful. Memory had taken him back for years, and he was looking at
the fair forehead and touching the soft brown hair of another baby. His
eyes grew dim. He set the candle upon the floor, and putting his hands
over his face, sobbed two or three times.

When this paroxysm of feeling went off, he got up with a steadier air,
and set the light back upon the table. The conflict going on in his
mind was not quite over, but another look at Andy settled the question.
Stooping with a hurried movement, he blew out the candle, then groped
his way over to the bed, and lying down, took the child in his arms and
drew him close to his breast. So the morning found them both asleep.

CHAPTER XIX.

_MR. DINNEFORD_ had become deeply interested in the work that was going
on in Briar street, and made frequent visits to the mission house.
Sometimes he took heart in the work, but oftener he suffered great
discouragement of feeling. In one of his many conversations with Mr.
Paulding he said,

"Looking as I do from the standpoint gained since I came here, I am
inclined to say there is no hope. The enemy is too strong for us."

"He is very strong," returned the missionary, "but God is stronger, and
our cause is his cause. We have planted his standard here in the very
midst of the enemy's territory, and have not only held our ground for
years, but gained some victories. If we had the people, the churches and
the law-officers on our side, we could drive him out in a year. But we
have no hope of this--at least not for a long time to come; and so, as
wisely as we can, as earnestly as we can, and with the limited means at
our control, we are fighting the foe and helping the weak, and gaining a
little every year."

"And you really think there is gain?"

"I know it," answered the missionary, with a ringing confidence in his
voice. "It is by comparisons that we are able to get at true results.
Come with me into our school-room, next door."

They passed from the office of the mission into the street.

"These buildings," said Mr. Paulding, "erected by that true Christian
charity which hopeth all things, stand upon the very site of one of the
worst dens once to be found in this region. In them we have a chapel for
worship