r childhood rose up before
her!

"Dear Harold!" she murmured, with a slight sigh, "how kind he always was
to me."

She could not think of him without pain, remembering their last interview
and his present suffering. She had not seen him yet, but had learned from
others that those months at Andersonville had injured his health so
seriously that it was not likely ever to be restored.

"What happy children we were in those days," her thoughts ran on; "and I
am even happier now, my treasures have so increased with the rolling
years; but they! what bitter trials they are enduring; though not less
deserving of prosperity than I, who am but a miserable sinner. But it is
whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth."

At that moment the sound of little hurrying feet, entering the room, and
glad young voices crying, "Good-morning, dear mamma!" broke in upon the
current of her thoughts.

"Good-morning, my darlings," she said, turning from the window to embrace
them. "All well and bright! Ah, how good our heavenly Father is to us!"

"Yes, mamma, it is like my text," said wee Elsie, "We have each a short
one this morning. Mine is, 'God is love.'"

Mamma had sat down and taken Violet on her lap, while Elsie and Eddie
stood one on each side.

Three lovelier children fond mother never looked upon. Elsie, now seven
years old, was her mother's miniature. Eddie, a bright manly boy of five,
had Mr. Dinsmore's dark eyes and hair, firm mouth and chin; but the rest
of his features, and the expression of countenance, were those of his own
father. Violet resembled both her mother and the grandmother whose name
she bore; she was a blonde, with exquisitely fair complexion, large deep
blue eyes, heavily fringed with curling lashes several shades darker than
the ringlets of pale gold that adorned the pretty head.

"True, beautiful words," the mother said, in reply to her little daughter;
"'God is love!' Never forget it, my darlings; never forget to thank Him
for His love and goodness to you; never fear to trust His love and care.
Can you tell me, dear, of some of His good gifts to you?"

"Our dear, kind mamma and papa," answered Eddie quickly, leaning
affectionately against her, his dark eyes lifted to her face, full of
almost passionate affection.

"Mammy too," added Violet.

"And dear, dear grandpa and grandma; and oh, so many more," said Elsie.

Rose was called grandma now, by her own request.

"Yes, dear grandpa and grandma, and so many