"My darling," he murmured, "my precious daughter,
may God comfort and sustain you."
"He does, papa," she answered in low, calm tones, as she raised her head
and lifted her mournful eyes to his face; "His consolations are not small
in the trying hour."
"You can give her up?" he asked, in a choking voice, looking with anguish
upon the wasted features of his almost idolized grandchild.
"Yes, papa--if He sees fit to take her; 'twere but selfishness to want to
keep her here. So safe, so happy will she be in Jesus' arms."
Mr. Travilla's frame shook with emotion, and Mr. Dinsmore was not less
agitated; but the mother was still calm and resigned.
No sound had come from those little lips for hours; but now there was a
faintly murmured "Mamma!"
"Yes, darling, mamma is here," Elsie answered, softly pressing a kiss on
the white brow; "what shall mamma do for her baby?"
"Jesus loves wee Elsie?" and the dreamy eyes unclosed and looked up into
the sweet pale face bent so lovingly over her. "Elsie so glad. Mamma sing
'Happy land.'"
The young mother's heart was like to burst, but with a silent prayer for
strength, she controlled herself and sang low and sweetly, and even as she
sang a change came over the child, and it fell into a deep, calm, natural
sleep that lasted for hours.
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