The Wide, Wide World

ve without t

rse, and love s

il

k, for clouds had gathered over the beautiful sky of the morning, and the wind rising now and then made its voice heard. Mrs. Montgomery was lying on the sofa: as usual, se

me very happy

should. I believe the whole affair has give

was a

e greatest possible ca

ave given them to you, sorry as I should have been to leave you without the

either. I will try to use them in the way that I know yo

and when I am away I shall please myself with thinking that my little daughter is follo

Ellen, who was now

f you fail to send me letters, or if those you send are not what they ought to be, I think the desk will cry shame upon you. And if you ever go an

box, m

rgot; you've n

; what do

it best not to overwhelm you quite this morning; so while you were on a

ping her hands; "what shall I do? I don't know what

tude, love, and sorrow; till gently drawn by the same hand she was placed again in her mother's arms and upon her bosom. And in that tried resting-place she

nd stirring her heart; a few were of her new possessions and bright projects-more of her mother. She was thinking how very, very precious was the heart she could feel beating where her cheek lay; she thought it was greater happiness to lie t

that loveth father or mother mo

anybody or anything better than Jesus C

"how can I be one of His children? I do love yo

h, "except by His grace, who has promised to change the hearts of His

ne then, mamma, because I c

ord Jesus is far, far more worthy of your affection than I am, and if your heart were not hardened by sin you would see Him so; it is only because you do no

n tearfully. "Oh, mamma, w

heart echoed the quest

nutes, "can I have no true love to

you can," answered

ull in the face, as if willing to apply the severest test to this hard doctrine, an

at herself could have but the second place in her heart; she ventured a bold q

her head again upon her bosom. She had no more to say; her mouth was stopped for ever as to th

. Montgomery; "that does not make my lov

"I wish you would teach me! I have only you, an

they that seek Me early shall find Me.'" And after a minute or two she added, "He who says thi

bosom, with her eyes fixed on the fire; and Mrs. Montgomery did not know that when she now and then pressed a kiss upon the forehead that lay so near her lips, it every time brought the water to Ellen's eyes and a throb

mamma?" said El

e door. Open it

standing there, with his arms

cried Ellen, clapping he

s burden on the t

d I think this is my dressing-box, as well as I can tell by feeling-yes, it is, here's the handle on top; and this

denly stopped short at sight of the tea-things, and looked very grave. "Well, mamma, I'll tell you what I'll do," she said, after a pause of consideration; "I'll make the tea

time. And when all was over at length, it was then too late for Ellen to begin to undo packages. She s

and the room clear she set about it. She first went through the desk and everything in it, making a running commentary on the excellence, fitness, and beauty of all it contained; then the dressing-box received a share, but a much smaller share, of attention; and lastly, with fingers trembling with eagerness she untied the pac

s more cotton than I can use up in a great while-every number, I do think; and needles, oh, the needles! what

hose

icer than yours, mamma-yours is decidedly the worse for wear;-and what's this?-oh, to make eyelet holes with, I know. And oh, mamma, here is almost everythin

th. Try it on that piece of paper that li

hat is. Well, I shall take great pains no

she closed it, and keeping it still in her lap, sat awhile looking thoughtfully into the fire; till turning towards her mother she met her gaze, fixed mournfully, almost tearfully, on herself

wered only by foldi

o help for

ll things shall work together

u, mamma, but what will it be fo

ther, love; but from the hand that wounds, seek the healing. He wounds that He may heal. He does not a

t moment; yet not more th

mamma, only a year

nd they that are once gathered there are parted no more for ever; and all tears are wiped from their eyes. I believe I am goi

appearance of composure as speedily as possible. But they could not succeed perfectly enough to blind him. He did not see

Ellen went over every part of it with the same great care and satisfaction; but mixed with a different feeling. The words that caught her eye as she turn

tisfied wit

please to write my name in this precious book-my name, and anything else you please,

me, and the date of the gift. The pen played a momen

Me; and they that seek M

next words were not for he

to thee, and to th

by an unseen force Mrs. Montgomery's head sank upon the

nt for ever, remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope; and be unto my

requent feelings of weakness or sickness had made her lean her head upon the Bible, and she thought no more about it. However, Ellen felt that she wanted no more of her boxes that d