little brother. The only hope for him is in the hospital. I will take him there myself, and come and see you tonight, if you will stay with your grandfather, and get him safely home. You would not be admitted if you came with me, and this poor old man will need all your care, Chrissie,' he added softly.

The tears gathered again in the little girl's eyes, and a look of intense pain clouded her face, but she gave way to her friend's wishes, and yielded her loved Nat into his arms. But the old man absolutely refused, at first, to part with his boy, and some time was lost before he could be persuaded that the child's removal to the hospital without delay was his only chance of life. Then he yielded, but the shock and grief had so unnerved him, that it was with the greatest difficulty that he reached his home.

'Drive as fast as you can,' said Mr. Grey to cabby, as he stepped into the cab, with the slender little lad in his arms. Nat was still insensible, and his friend felt the gravest apprehension lest he should hardly reach the hospital in time to place him alive in the doctor's hands.

So desperate and pressing a case was at once admitted, and received immediate attention from the house surgeon. The feeble, flickering life awoke once more, and when the wound was dressed, Nat lay on his little white bed, conscious again, but without the smallest recollection of the events of the last few hours. Mr. Grey waited

down-stairs till a more favourable report was sent him by the nurse than he at first had dared to hope for, and he was admitted for a few moments to see the child.

'Where am I?' said Nat feebly, as his friend knelt down by his side. 'I know your face; you cured my Tony, you did. Is this heaven? and where are Chrissie and grandfather?'

Mr. Grey smiled, and said, 'You are comfortable now, Nat, are you not? and you must lie quite still. No, this is not heaven; but it is a very happy place, and Chrissie and grandfather will come and see you soon.' The child seemed quite content, and, as perfect quiet was most essential, Mr. Grey left him in ignorance of what had happened, and, bidding him 'Good-night,' left the hospital and made his way at once to Lamb Court.

6

He

Old Donald welcomed eagerly enough now the visitor to whom before he had so rudely refused to listen. was waiting in deepest anxiety for expected tidings. Oh, that the gospel tidings,' said the missionary to himself, 'might, after all, find acceptance even in this stubborn heart!' but he made no allusion to it to-night, merely imparting all the comfort and hope he could to the distressed old man and the tearful little girl, and then took his leave, promising to fetch them both to see Nat the following afternoon, which happened to be a visiting day' at the hospital.

6

And so the blind man and Chrissie lay down to rest

The

that night for the first time without their Nat. little sunbeam in the home was gone. How dark it was! Even Tony whined restlessly, and refused for a long while to settle for the night, and Chrissie had to say her little prayer alone. After that she cried herself

REFLECTED LIGHT.

'A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o'er,

A few more toils, a few more tears,
And we shall weep no more.'

AT, in his comfortable cot, slept peacefully most of the night. A soft, dim light shone in the large airy ward, and now and again the gentle step of the night nurse crossed the floor, as she flitted from cot to cot, watching the sleeping children, or tending and soothing those awake in Nothing else broke the stillness of the night, except an occasional moan from some little sufferer, or the fretful cry of wakefulness and weariness, soon hushed and quieted by the loving woman's voice, as she lulled the child to rest in her arms, or applied some soothing remedy for the weary pain.

pain.

The

In the pale light of the early dawn Nat awoke. stars were just fading before approaching day, but as the child's eyes turned towards the window, they caught the farewell glimmering of the morning star. Nat's arm felt very stiff and painful, and he tried hard to recall to his mind the events of the previous day, being greatly puzzled at finding himself in such a wonderful place. Where, too, was Chrissie? and who could be taking care of him? Wherever he might be, it was clearly not out of reach of the stars, and he thought he could remember some one saying that it was not heaven. No, it was not heaven, that was very plain, for his arm hurt him very much, and he could not move it at all. What could have happened? But all was confusion and perplexity when he tried to think, and, in the midst of wondering, his eyes rested on a beautiful picture on the opposite wall, which almost made him forget his pain. There was a figure in the centre which reminded him strangely of their picture at home, only the head had no thorncrown, only a beautiful glory, and the hand carried no shining lamp, but rested on the head of a little child about Nat's size, while an infant nestled on the other arm, and a group of little children gathered round. Others, too, were coming, led by their mothers or carried in their arms. Nat thought this picture was even prettier than his own, and lay gazing at it, in wonder and admiration, till the day-nurse in her spotless cotton dress came to his side, and, with a kind smile,