Ah! no fear of that; for with one bewildered look, one glad cry of recognition, Christie found her friend again, and was gathered close to Rachel’s heart.

“My dear, my dear, what drove you to it?  Tell me all, and let me help you in your trouble, as you helped me in mine,” she said, as she tenderly laid the poor, white face upon her breast, and wrapped her shawl about the trembling figure clinging to her with such passionate delight.

“I have been ill; I worked too hard; I’m not myself to-night.  I owe money.  People disappoint and worry me; and I was so worn out, and weak, and wicked, I think I meant to take my life.”

“No, dear; it was not you that meant to do it, but the weakness and the trouble that bewildered you.  Forget it all, and rest a little, safe with me; then we’ll talk again.”

Rachel spoke soothingly, for Christie shivered and sighed as if her own thoughts frightened her.  For a moment they sat silent, while the mist trailed its white shroud above them, as if death had paused to beckon a tired child away, but, finding her so gently cradled on a warm, human heart, had relented and passed on, leaving no waif but the broken oar for the river to carry toward the sea.

“Tell me about yourself, Rachel.  Where have you been so long?  I ’ve looked and waited for you ever since the second little note you sent me on last Christinas; but you never came.”

“I’ve been away, dear heart, hard at work in another city, larger and wickeder than this.  I tried to get work here, that I might be near you; but that cruel Cotton always found me out; and I was so afraid I should get desperate that I went away where I was not known.  There it came into my mind to do for others more wretched than I what you had done for me.  God put the thought into my heart, and He helped me in my work, for it has prospered wonderfully.  All this year I have been busy with it, and almost happy; for I felt that your love made me strong to do it, and that, in time, I might grow good enough to be your friend.”

“See what I am, Rachel, and never say that any more!”

“Hush, my poor dear, and let me talk.  You are not able to do any thing, but rest, and listen.  I knew how many poor souls went wrong when the devil tempted them; and I gave all my strength to saving those who were going the way I went.  I had no fear, no shame to overcome, for I was one of them.  They would listen to me, for I knew what I spoke; they could believe in salvation, for I was saved; they did not feel so outcast and forlorn when I told them you had taken me into your innocent arms, and loved me like a sister.  With every one I helped my power increased, and I felt as if I had washed away a little of my own great sin.  O Christie! never think it’s time to die till you are called; for the Lord leaves us till we have done our work, and never sends more sin and sorrow than we can bear and be the better for, if we hold fast by Him.”