Mattie:-A Stray Volume III Part 35

She says it well and stoutly, too, when the time comes, and friends are warned to let the s.h.i.+p proceed upon its course, and not delay it by their presence there. With Sidney, facing him with her hands in his, she gives way somewhat; she lets him stoop and kiss her--for the second time in life--the last!

"G.o.d bless you, Mattie!--best of women!" he murmurs.

"G.o.d bless you, Sidney!--with this dear girl!"

She flings herself into Harriet's arms, and cries there for a little while--there is no jealousy now--Harriet is the little girl of old, old days, the first of all these friends she has learned to love, and is learning now to part with.

"To lose _you_, Mattie--the friend, sister, counsellor, whose good words and strong love have kept me from sinking more than once--it _is_ hard!"

"In a few months, a wiser, better, and more natural counsellor than I--trust in each other, and have no secrets--don't forget me!"

Thus they parted--thus hoping for the best, and believing that the best had come for all, Mattie is borne away to the new world, wherein her father had prophesied would come new friends, new happiness. And they came; for Mattie made no enemies in life, and won much love, and was rewarded for much labour in G.o.d's service, by that good return, even on earth, which renders labour sweet and profitable.

THE END.