as wishing for. But I did, and I expect God will answer it; for old
Jenny said I should come through it, and perhaps I wouldn't have to
wait till I grew up.'

'I think,' said Mr. Russell slowly, as he looked down at the wistful
little face, 'that God has been answering your prayer already.'

Betty looked up breathlessly. 'How?'

'I think He has sent you a little bit of tribulation to see if you can
bear it, and if you will be a good, patient child over it, and not keep
saying you will never be happy again.'

Such a flash of light came across Betty's face, and into her big blue
eyes.

'Do you really think God has taken away Prince to give me tribulation?
Oh! Mr. Russell, is it true, could it be? Is this coming through
tribulation?'

Her whole face was quivering with intense feeling.

'I think it is as big a trouble as a little child like you can be
called upon to bear,' said Mr. Russell, drawing her close to him; 'and
I think God has sent it to you for some good purpose.'

A long-drawn sigh came from the child, and not another word did she
say; but when nurse and the other children came out to welcome her
back, they were all surprised to see the radiant, happy look upon her
face, and nurse inwardly congratulated herself upon the good her visit
had done her. Mr. Russell received a fervent kiss and hug on
departing, and Betty came back to her own circle again.

But a glad surprise awaited her. Douglas and Molly were full of a
suppressed mystery all tea-time; and, when it was over, they
impatiently begged her to come to the orchard. She accompanied them
willingly, but gave a cry of delight and astonishment when she reached
the old apple tree. There was a neat little iron railing surrounding
poor Prince's grave; above it was a stone pedestal, and upon this was
lying the stone figure of Prince himself, the facsimile of the portrait
of him lying at Betty's feet when she was fast asleep in the cornfield.
Below in gold letters was written:--

'To THE MEMORY OF PRINCE,

_Who gave his life for his mistress, 11th August, 18--._'

'Mr. Russell had it put up,' said Molly; 'he has come over several
times about it, and he said he wanted it to be kept quite a secret till
you came back. Isn't it lovely?'

But Betty had no voice to answer; tears were flowing freely, and when
Douglas and Molly tried to comfort her, she assured them it was only
because she was so happy. They left her there shortly after, and sh