It was a new idea to Nannette, for she had looked confidently forward to final restoration to health, and for some moments she seemed stunned with surprise and affright.
“Do not be afraid, dear child,” said the minister in tones tremulous with emotion; “remember those sweet words of the psalmist, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.’ Trust in Jesus—Jesus only—and He will be with you, and carry you safely through the valley, and over the river of death, to the beautiful Celestial city, where you will dwell with Him in such bliss as eye hath not seen nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.”
“And where my dear father and mother are,” she said softly, the big tears coursing down her cheeks. “Oh, I shall not be sorry to go! How good; oh, how good the Lord is to let me go there so soon!”
“Yes, dear child. Is it because He sees any good in you, do you think?”
“No, sir; oh, no, there isn’t any, not any of my own righteousness: but I think, I believe, oh, I know that He has covered me with the beautiful robe of His perfect righteousness, so that when God looks upon me He will see only that and none of the filthy rags of my own. And He will wash away in His precious blood all my sins, all the evil that is in me, and make me fit for a home in that blessed land. With Jesus and like him! Oh, how happy I shall be!” Then after a moment’s pause, “Do my brother and sisters know?” she asked.
“I think not,” he said, “though doubtless they will not be greatly surprised to learn the truth in regard to your serious condition.”
“Then tell them; please tell them,” she entreated; “Ethel and Blanche at least, and perhaps they will tell Harry when he comes home from the store to-night.”
Just then footsteps were heard on the stairs, the door opened, and Dorothy entered.
“How do you do, sir?” she said, holding out her hand to the minister, then turning toward Nannette, “Ah, little coz, you are better, I think! Your cheeks are like roses and your eyes are very bright. What is it, dear?” as the beautiful eyes filled with tears, “are you in pain?” and she bent over her, softly caressing her hair and cheek.
The minister had slipped away unobserved. Nannette put an arm round Dorothy and drew her down closer. “I—I know it now,” she panted. “He has told me, and—and oh, I—I’m afraid Ethel’s heart will break, for—for she loves me so dearly!”