18 OVER THE SEA.

long time: nor would they consent to give up the child till they had taken the advice of
the parish counsellors—the parson and the doctor.

But the trial of parting was prolonged, deferred ; for the father havice established his
claim did not seem so anxious now to assume the responsibility. And Nan’s
dread of the new life had been almost quieted

But it came at last.
morrow. She was to leave her real
parents, those who by the ties of love were her only parents. How
she had prayed them to keep her still, not to send her away,
not to give her up. & But with breaking hearts they
And now on the last evening
Nan is kneeling by
bed where she hasslept
At the window stands
gazing listlessly across
that stormy night
that brought the baby to:

Nan is praying aloud.
mother” to hear her pray.
“Our Father ”—but before she has finished ‘she hears a
heavy, staggering step in the next room, and oath after
oath poured out as her “father” reels in from the Blue Anchor.
- And this is the father to whom she must give up herself.

Yes, Nan. It is “our Father’s” will; and He will help you in the new life: He will
bless all you do to win him back to something of his old innocence: He will console you
for the loss of those you must leave ; for He is “our Father” who, though in Heaven, sees
and loves all on earth.

agony of parting, and her ,
by mere postponement.
She was to go. to-

  
   
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
 

told her she must go.
they will be together
her little bed—the
all these happy years.
her “little mother ”
the sea, remembering
‘twelve years ago
her.

It comforts “little