Intra Muros

holy ange

to join t

the friends

orious sp

e the same

s in day

l their dear

ound us a

now each o

. R.

that keep up an invalid's failing strength. I had taken no nourishment of any kind for nearly three weeks, scarcely even water, and was greatly reduced in both flesh and strength, and consciousness seemed at times to wholly desert me. I had an unutterable longing for the presence

and that since the beloved ones of earth could not minister to me, I might feel the influence of the other dear ones who are "all ministering spirits." Especially did I ask to be sustained should I indeed be called to pass through the dark waters alone. It was no idle prayer, and the response came swiftly, speedily. All anxieties and cares slipped away from me, as a worn-out garment, and peace, Christ's peace, enfolded me. I was willing to wait God's time for the coming of those so dear to me, and said to myself, more than once, "If not here, it will be there; there is no fear of di

I cried out joyously, "

o, little sister," he said gently. "Shall w

at the farther end, comfortably reading a newspaper; and on the bed, turned toward the window, lay a white, still form, with the shadow of a smile on the poor, worn face. My brother d

ve Will and o

ar, but hundreds of mi

here. Oh, Frank, they will ne

t you back a little later-after the

surely do s

e worn out with the long suffering, and a

walked. But my heart clung to the dear ones whom I felt I was not to see again on earth, and several times I stopped and looked wistfully back the way we had c

ittle child; and, like a child, I yielded, resting my head upon his shoulder, and laying my arm about his neck. I felt so safe, so content, to be

th. I remember noticing heliotrope, violets, lilies of the valley, and mignonette, with many others of like nature wholly unfamiliar to me. But even in that first moment I observed how perfect in its way was every plant and flower. For instance, the heliotrope, which with us often runs into l

f life" that grew in the midst of the garden, bearing "twelve manner of fruits, and whose leaves were for the healing of the nations." Beneath the trees, in many happy groups, were little children, laughing and playing, running hither and thither in their joy, and catching in their tiny hands the bright-winged birds that flitted in and out among them, as though sharing in their sports, as they doubtless were. All through the grounds, older people

many directions through the grounds appeared to me to be, and I afterward found were, of pearl, spotless and pure, bordered on either side by narrow streams of pellucid water, running over stones of gold. The one thought that fastened itself upon me as I looked, breathless and speechless, upon this scene, was "Purity, purity!" No shadow of dust; no taint of decay on

say softly, "Well?" and, looking up, I discovered that he was watching me with keen enjoyment. I had, in m

ness and my own unworthiness swept over me that I dropped my face

"I am inconsiderate." And lifting me gently to my f

d ran even to the water's edge, and in some places I saw the flowers blooming placidly down i

nes," said my brother, stepping into t

dly, saying, "I

he said, with a reas

ly robe, which, to my great joy, I found was sim

," with another

th temperature and density, almost identical with the air. Deeper and deeper grew the stream as we passed on, unt

er my head," I

and wha

under the water-

es, though he said soberly enough,

my head. To my surprise and delight, I found I could not only breathe, but laugh and talk, see and hear, as naturally under the water as above it. I sat down in the midst of the many-col

ands over his face, and running h

hts still clung to me; and I wondered, too, if the lovely robe was not entirely spoiled. But behold, as we neared the shore and my head once more emerged from the water, the moment the air struck my face and hair I realized that I would need no towel or brush. My flesh, my hair, and even my beautiful garments, were soft and dry as before the water touche

d to my brother, as we again stepped upon the flo

ame, but simila

t the shining river flowing on tranquilly. "Frank, what has t

gently, "It has washed away the last of the earth-life, an

vine!" I

is divine