ter and the Devil fled from him."

"And angels came and ministered to him," said Ishmael, in a voice of
ineffable tenderness, as the tears filled his eyes and he approached
his arm toward Bee. His impulse was to draw her to his bosom and press
a kiss on her brow--as a brother's embrace of a loved sister; but
Ishmael's nature was as refined and delicate as it was fervent and
earnest; and he abstained from this caress; he said instead:

"You are my guardian angel, Bee. I have felt it long, little sister;
you never fail in a crisis!"

"And while I live I never will, Ishmael. You will not need man's help,
for you will help yourself, but what woman may do to aid and comfort,
that will I do for you, my brother,"

"What a heavenly spirit is yours, Bee," said Ishmael fervently.

"And now let us talk of business, please," said practical little Bee,
who never indulged in sentiment long. "That poor mother! You give her
your services--gratuitously of course?"

"Certainly," said Ishmael.

"But, apart from her counsel's fee, will she not have other expenses
to meet in conducting this suit?"

"Yes."

"How will she meet them?"

"Bee, dear, I have saved a little money; I mean to use it in her
service."

"What!" exclaimed the young girl; "do you mean to give her your
professional aid and pay all her expenses besides?"

"Yes," said Ishmael, "as far as the money will go. I do this, dear
Bee, as a 'thank offering' to the Lord for all the success he has
given me, up to this time. When I think of the days of my childhood in
that poor Hill hut, and compare them to these days, I am deeply
impressed by the mercy he has shown me; and I think that I can never
do enough to show my gratitude. I consider it the right and proper
thing to offer the first fruits of my professional life to him,
through his suffering children."

"You are right, Ishmael, for God has blessed your earnest efforts, as,
indeed, he would bless those of anyone so conscientious and
persevering as yourself. But, Ishmael, will you have money enough to
carry on the suit?"

"I hope so, Bee; I do not know."

"Here, then, Ishmael, take this little roll of notes; it is a hundred
dollars; use it for the woman," she said, putting in his hand a small
parcel.

Ishmael hesitated a moment; but Bee hastened to reassure him by
saying:

"You had as well take it as not, Ishmael. I can very well spare it, or
twice as much. Papa makes me a much larger allowance than one of m