SCHOOL DAYS AT ST. MARY' S.

yet it always seemed strange she had such a horror of
death."
 And what did she die of?"
 "It was in this way. I was staying with them at
Brighton; you know she was an only child, and her
father doted upon her. We all went for a ride one
afternoon, and had had the most delightful gallop over
the downs, but as we were coming home, Susan's
horse stumbled and fell, and rolled over her; there
were no bones broken, but it killed her-she only
lived a few days.
 And the fear of death: did that pass ?"
 "It did, indeed. I was with her all the time, and
I never saw any one so happy. It seemed such a
blessed commentary on 'Thy rod and Thy staff com-
fort me.' Dear Susan!" And a tear fell on the desk.
 "Emily Grey? I know her! Did her young
days give any promise of what she is now-the
energetic head of all that family of half-sisters and
brothers ?"
 "No, indeed! She was always a dear, affectionate
girl; but, until she saw it was not right, I never saw
any one more swayed by her feelings. I should have
thought her the last person to take kindly to a step-
mother, and then, when she died, to all those chil-
dren. She used to have no perseverance; but she
felt her deficiency in this so keenly, when she once
began to work with her might, that she used to go
beyond the mark sometimes. She is a thorough
worker, and always so loving and sympathizing. It
makes one thankful to look back, Robert."
 And Julia Tait-who is she ?"
 "C Well, the fact is, it was rather a mistake, or, at
least, we did not intend having her with us; but she
came in when we were writings. and nothing would do