,' or
something; but you brought my Bible. I have thought, sometimes, that
was one of the prayers answered in a better way than we ask or expect."

The last few words were spoken in a very husky voice; and as she ceased,
her head was laid on Effie's lap. There were tears in Effie's eyes
too--she scarcely knew why. Certainly they were not for sorrow. Gently
stroking her sisters drooping head, she said:

"Perhaps it was so, Christie. I believe it was; and you are right. We
need not fear for one another. We will trust in Him."

CHAPTER SIX.

CHRISTIE'S NEW HOME.

So Annie and Christie went away; and the days that followed their
departure were long and lonely at the cottage. They had never been long
separated, and the absence of two of their number made a great blank in
their circle. All missed them, but none so much as Effie; for mingled
with regret for their absence was a feeling very like self-reproach that
she had permitted Christie to go. It was in vain that she reasoned with
herself about this matter, saying it was the child's own wish, and that
against her aunt's expressed approbation she could have said nothing to
detain her.

She knew that Christie was by no means strong, that she was sensitive
(not to say irritable), and she dreaded for her the trials she must
endure and the unkindness she might experience among strangers. She was
haunted by a vision of her sister's pale face, home-sick and miserable,
with no one to comfort or sympathise with her; and she waited with
inexpressible longing for the first tidings from the wanderers. The
thought of her was always present. It came with a pang sometimes when
she was busiest. She returned from school night by night with a deeper
depression on her spirits, till Aunt Elsie, who had all along resented
in secret her evident anxiety, could no longer restrain the expression
of her vexation.

"What ails you, Effie?" said she, as the weary girl seated herself,
without entering the house. "You sit down there as if you had the cares
and vexations of a generation weighing you down. Have matters gone
contrary at the school?"

"No. Oh, no," said Effie, making an effort to seem cheerful.
"Everything has gone on as usual. I had two new scholars to-day.
They'll be coming in, now that the autumn work is mostly over. Have not
the bairns come in?"

"I hear their voices in the field beyond," said her aunt. "But you
havena told me what ails you. Indeed, t