She did not speak again during Miss Gertrude’s stay, and I need not repeat all that passed between the young lady and Effie. There were some words spoken that neither will forget till their dying day.
Before she went away, Gertrude came and kissed Christie; and when she was gone Effie came and kissed her too, saying:
“You ought to be very happy, Christie, with all your trouble. God has been very good to you, in giving you a message to Miss Gertrude.”
“I am very happy, Effie,” answered she, softly. “I almost think I am beyond being troubled any more. It is coming very near now.”
She lay still, with a smile on her face, till she fell into a quiet slumber; and as she sat watching her, Effie, amid all her sorrow, could not but rejoice at the thought of the blessed rest and peace that seemed coming so near now to her little sister.
Chapter Twenty Three.
Home at last.
Yes, the time was drawing very near. Effie could no longer hide from herself that Christie was no stronger, but rather weaker every day. She did not suffer much pain, but now and then was feverish, and at such times she could get no rest. Then Effie moved and soothed and sang to her with patience inexhaustible. She would have given half her youthful strength to have revived that wasted form; and one day, as she was bathing her hands, she told her so.