How this scene brought back that other, but a year and a half ago, when his own father lay wrestling with the king of terrors!

“Yes, yes, precious promise! for she will soon be that, my poor darling!” groaned the sufferer.  “That I must leave her alone in the world, without one near relative, alone in a strange land, penniless too, oh this is the bitterness of death!”

“I will be a friend to her, sir,” Edward said with emotion, “and so I am sure will my mother and grandfather when they learn her sad story.  Tell me your wishes in regard to her, and I will do my best to see them carried out.”

As briefly as possible, for his strength was waning, Mr. Love made Edward acquainted with the state of his affairs.  He had retired from business the previous year with a comfortable competence, and being somewhat out of health, had undertaken a European tour with the hope of benefit, if not entire recovery.

The improvement had been very decided for a time, but within the last few days distressing news had reached him from America; news of the failure, through the extensive peculation of one of its officers, of a bank in which the bulk of his savings had been invested.

He had other property, but as the law made each stockholder liable for double the amount of his stock, that too was swallowed up and he thus utterly ruined.

The terrible shock of the disaster had so increased his malady that it had become mortal; he was too utterly prostrated to rally from it, and knew that his hours on earth were numbered.

He had a little ready money with him, enough he thought to pay his funeral expenses and Zoe’s passage back to her native land, but such a mere child as she was, always used to depending upon him to see to all their affairs, she would not know how to manage, and would probably be robbed of the little she had.  And even if she should arrive safely in her own country, what was to become of her then?  Without means, no one upon whom she had any claim for assistance, and too young and ignorant to do anything to earn her own living.

Edward was deeply moved by the sad recital.  “My dear Mr. Love,” he said, “make yourself quite easy about Miss Zoe.  I will attend to all these matters about which you have spoken.  I am about to return home myself, and will be her companion and protector on the voyage.  Nor shall she want for friends or any needed assistance after we arrive.”

“God bless you! you have lifted a heavy load from my heart!” faltered the dying father, with a look of deep gratitude.  “You are young, sir, but I can trust you fully.  There are few older men whom I would as willingly trust.”

“And you can die in peace, trusting in the Saviour of sinners?”

“Yes; He is all my hope, all my trust.”

“I have been told there is a Protestant minister in the village.  Shall I send Ben for him?”

“Yes, thank you; I should be glad to see him, though I feel that he or any man could be of little assistance to me now, if the work of repentance and faith had been left for this hour.”