l
possession of his faculties is far better than the confessions made in
fear of death. Repentance should have come further back, for the sooner
we turn about on the right way, the further we get on the road to
perfection."

Rachel finished her little speech with a smile--the simple sweet smile,
fixed into her nature for all time. A strange sister came up to her, who
was greeted pleasantly.

"I want to know more of you two," she said. "There is something about
you different from me or my mates. When you mix with us and talk with
us, I can feel it, but I don't know what it is. You appear to me to be,
lilies-of-the-valley among weeds--yes, that's it."

"And isn't a weed just a useful plant grown wild?" asked Signe. "All it
needs is careful cultivation. Come with us as we walk along. We shall be
pleased to talk with you. We are not very wise, but we may always ask
the brethren who are wiser, for more light."

And so these three went slowly along the beautiful paths of spirit-land,
conversing as they went. The hazel eyes of the brown-haired stranger
opened in wide astonishment at what her sisters told her. Sometimes she
asked questions, sometimes she shook her head in disbelief. She had been
a "worldly" woman, she told them, never thinking that there would be any
life other than the one she was living while on the earth; and so she
had shaped her daily conduct by that narrow standard. Her earth-life had
ended sadly, and existence had been bitter ever since, "Restless and
hopeless, I have wandered for a long time," she said. "I have seen you
two a number of times and have heard you talk to the women. Your words
seemed to bring to me a glimpse of something better, but I never had the
courage to speak to you until now."

Signe put her arms around her, drew her close, and kissed her cheek.
"Let us do you all the good we can," she said. "We are going now to
attend a meeting where my husband is to speak. Come with us."

Rachel linked her arm into that of the stranger's who willingly
accompanied them. "Is your husband also a preacher?" she asked of
Rachel.

"I have no husband," was the reply. "I did not--I mean, he did not find
me, has not found me yet." Rachel was somewhat confused but she smiled
as ever.

"She means," explained Signe, "that she did not marry while in
earth-life, for the very good reason that she had no chance--"

"None such that I could accept," added Rachel. Then as the newly-found
friend looked at