26 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

The words and movement of Mr. Jasper restored
at once the conscious self-possession of the dying
mother, and she raised herself partly up with™a
quick motion, and a gleam of light in her counte-
nance.

‘¢Oh, sir,”’ she said eagerly, “do not go yet. I
have no sister, no near relative; none but you to
whom I can speak my last words and give my last
injunction. You were my husband’s friend while he
lived, and to you has he committed the care of his
widow and orphan. I am called, alas, too soon! to
follow him; and now, in the sight of God, and in
the presence of his spirit—for I feel that he is near
us now—I commit to you the care of this dear
child. Oh, sir! be to her as a father. Love her
tenderly, and care for her as if she were your own.
Her heart is rich with affection, and upon you will
its treasures be poured out. Take her! take her as
your own! Here I give to you, in this the solemn
hour of my departure, that which to me is above all
price.”

And as she said this, with a suddenly renewed
strength, she lifted the child, and, ere Jasper could
check the movement, placed her in his arms. Then,
with one long, eager, clinging kiss pressed upon the
lips of that child, she sank backward on the bed;
and life, which had flashed up brightly for a mo-
ment, went out in this world for ever.